The general objective of the RECREATE project is to develop a set of innovative technologies aimed at exploiting the potential of End-of-Life (EoL) complex composite waste as feedstock for profitable reuse of parts and materials in the manufacturing industry. In the light of this, more specific objectives are: - to develop and validate in relevant environment (TRL6) novel reuse strategies for large EoL composite parts based on smart recognition and inspection for sorting (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), high precision dismantling (laser-shock) and repair, temperature-assisted reshaping, design for disassembly based on reversible joints, AI-assisted decision support systems; - to develop and validate in relevant environment (TRL6) innovative recycling technologies (catalyst-assisted green solvolysis and electrofragmentation) allowing simultaneous recovery of high quality, integer, clean fibers and of an organic resin fraction reusable as coating material, at the very end of the multiple reuse processes of parts; - to demonstrate at TRL6 the use of smart and green reversible thermoset resins as enabling materials for the realization of the next generation of fiber-reinforced composites with easier repairability and enhanced reusability, facilitating the transition towards recyclable-by-design composites; - to develop digital tools for the quantitative evaluation of the environmental and economic performance of the proposed technologies (LCA/LCC), as well as their circularity assessment and acceleration; - to co-design innovative digital learning resources, based on MOOCs, gamification and digital twins of some specialty technologies developed in the project, with easy adoption and high replicability. The objectives and ambition of RECREATE are fully compliant with the general requirements of the Horizon Europe - Digital, Industry and Space 2021 Work Programme, and with the specific requirements of the call Horizon-CL4-2021-Resilience-01-01.

Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRP and CFRP) are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. Composite recycling is a challenging task. Although mechanical grinding and pyrolysis reached a quite high TRL, landfilling of EoL composites is still widespread since no significant added value in the re-use and remanufacturing of composites is demonstrated. The FiberEUse project aims at integrating in a holistic approach different innovation actions aimed at enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products. The project is based on the realization of three macro use-cases, further detailed in eight demonstrators: Use-case 1: Mechanical recycling of short GFRP and re-use in added-value customized applications, including furniture, sport and creative products. Emerging manufacturing technologies like UV-assisted 3D-printing and metallization by Physical Vapor Deposition will be used. Use-case 2: Thermal recycling of long fibers (glass and carbon) and re-use in high-tech, high-resistance applications. The input product will be EoL wind turbine and aerospace components. The re-use of composites in automotive (aesthetical and structural components) and building will be demonstrated by applying controlled pyrolysis and custom remanufacturing. Use-case 3: Inspection, repair and remanufacturing for EoL CFRP products in high-tech applications. Adaptive design and manufacturing criteria will be implemented to allow for a complete circular economy demonstration in the automotive sector. Through new cloud-based ICT solutions for value-chain integration, scouting of new markets, analysis of legislation barriers, life cycle assessment for different reverse logistic options, FiberEUse will support industry in the transition to a circular economy model for composites.

The European remanufacturing industry is crucial for the sustainable transition of Europe, thanks to the savings in energy, materials and functionality that is guaranteed by the process. In fact, the socio- economic benefits of remanufacturing, in terms of number of workers, skills development and technological uptake, are as impactful as the environmental benefits. However, to future-proof the European remanufacturing industry and increase its competitiveness, the obstacles facing the human worker need to be addressed as a matter of strategic urgency. Currently, established remanufacturing sectors recognized the barriers in the limited automation, poor human inclusion, lack of traceability and restricted use of digitalization. Hence, rEUman aims at developing and demonstrating a novel paradigm of human-centric remanufacturing approach for the European industry; acting at factory and value-chain levels. At factory level, the main industrial need is to guarantee high regeneration rates of the remanufactured products and to achieve traceability of the remanufacturing process-chain. While at value-chain level, the main industrial need is to guarantee stability in terms of volume and quality of the post-use products. rEUman shall demonstrate the new remanufacturing paradigm, which is intrinsically human-safe, target-driven in regeneration and certification, flexible while facing variability in post-use parts, robust and replicable to new circular business cases. To that end, rEUman addresses the call topic by (i) developing cutting edge remanufacturing approaches (factory level) and integrating them into the value-chain , (ii) demonstrating functional retention in three sectors (Automotive, Home appliances and Optoelectronics), (iii) introducing traceability in remanufacturing by implementing the first remanufacturing-centred DPP, (iv) considering operation and economic viability by showcasing complete business cases coupled with designed training material.

ZEvRA's main objective is to improve the circularity of light-duty EVs throughout their entire value chain, from materials supply and manufacturing to end-of-life (EoL) processes, which aligns with the European Union's goal of achieving zero CO2e emissions by 2035, particularly in the EV value chain. To do so, ZEvRA will develop a Design for Circularity (DfC) methodology and a holistic circularity assessment aimed at improving the production of electric vehicles (EVs) based on the 9Rs. This methodology will be validated by developing zero emission solutions for the most important automotive materials, covering > 84% material mix: steel, three versions of aluminium (wrought, casting, and foam), thermoplastics composites (long and continuous fibre-reinforced), unfiled/short fibre plastics, glass, tyres and Rare Earth Elements (REE). These solutions will be supported by a set of digital tools to support the manufacturing of the use cases, the assessment of circularity, traceability, and the virtual integration of components into a full replicable vehicle. To maximise the outreach of our methodology and zero emission solutions, ZEvRA will develop a dedicated training & upskilling programme for the automotive workforce and academia, together with activities aimed at increasing awareness & acceptability of the proposed zero emission solutions. Lastly, circular business models targeting EoL and logistics aimed at improving the economic feasibility of circularity in EVs are advanced. ZEvRA’s innovations aim to improve zero emission approaches in the life cycle and value chain of at least 59% of European EVs by 2035 through the 5 OEMs and Tier 1’s that are part of the consortium, which includes industry and academia covering the entire automotive value chain.