Research into robotic enabling technologies for the circular economy, through the automation of disassembling, dismantling and re-manufacturing processes.

ZIRKBOTICS will focus on analysing how advanced robotics can be an enabler in three key phases of the circular economy: re-manufacturing, disassembling for recycling and waste identification/separation.

Robotics can bring economic efficiency and quality by increasing the purity of waste. Basic proof-of-concepts will also be carried out, which will improve the programming of applications and technological challenges to be solved at later stages. ZIRKBOTICS will lay the foundations for future collaboration between groups from the three Euskampus members, in programmes such as 'Elkartek' 'Made in Europe', EIT Manufacturing, etc.

Applicability/impact of the results:
To date, the business and academic worlds have focused on the influence of the application of I4.0 technologies on competitiveness, and less attention has been paid to EC issues. Furthermore, there are diverse opinions on how the I4.0 technologies can be influential in the EC. ZIRKBOTICS will pave the way to highlight the influence of I4.0 technologies on the Circular Economy.

In this way, the findings, methodologies, etc. to quantify these influences will help industrial companies define strategies at a corporate level, as reuse, recovery and recycling need to be improved in order to reinforce a closed EC loop.

Furthermore, policy makers and other stakeholders should take note of these influences and foster policies that encourage companies to strengthen their actions focused on the use of I4.0 technologies and hence take advantage of their influence on the EC.