Circularity in Motion: Remanufacturing Business Model Lessons from Renewable Parts Ltd.

Irish Manufacturing Research, in our capacity as the secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, curated a multi-sectoral circular innovation exchange for our industry members which included multiple site visits to Scottish circularity pioneers.  

Renewable Parts Ltd. in Scotland offered a compelling look at circularity in action. From lean-designed facilities to reverse-engineered gearboxes, Renewable Parts is not just remanufacturing parts, it is reshaping how industry thinks about value, reliability, and sustainability as a supply chain and acts as a remanufacturing specialist to the wind energy industry. 

The most impactful insight?  

Circularity must start with the supply chain. Renewable Parts’ work shows that remanufactured components can match or exceed the performance of new ones, yet industry bias and inconsistent definitions continue to slow adoption. Customers often struggle to trust remanufactured parts—not because of data, but due to perception. Renewable Parts tackles this head-on with transparency, case studies, and customer engagement. 

The challenge is clear - we cannot reach net zero without circularity. Renewable Parts is solving this by blending reused and new components, investing in predictive maintenance, and exploring digital product passports for traceability. Their apprenticeship program is building the next generation of circular engineers, while new business models like leasing and inventory pooling are making remanufacturing more accessible. 

As highlighted in the 2024 CIRCULÉIRE Remanufacturing Insights Report, collaboration across OEMs, customers, and policymakers is essential. We must agitate for harmonized standards, better data sharing, and clearer communication of the carbon and financial benefits of remanufacturing. 

If you're part of the circular ecosystem, now is the time to pilot, partner, and push. Remanufacturing is not a competitor to new, it complements it.  

Let’s prove that circularity is not just viable, but vital. 

For a great example of a CIRCULÉIRE member pioneering automotive parts remanufacturing, take a look at our case study on Evolve. 

#CircularEconomy #Remanufacturing #Sustainability #WindEnergy #Innovation #CIRCULÉIRE #RenewableParts #NetZero #ImpactLeadership