Way Point Srl is proud to announce the launch of an ambitious remanufacturing project in the lighting sector that involves a network of excellence throughout Italy. From Sicily to Campania and Puglia, the project benefits from the collaboration of important research centres and universities, confirming the value of the synergy between territories and skills to promote sustainable innovation.
The new Lighting Remanufacturing Pilot Line, which will be built in the Altivole plant, aims to reduce waste by transforming end-of-life products into new efficient and technologically advanced solutions. The project, with a total investment of €400,000, €210,000 of which co-financed by the Veneto Region, represents a significant step towards the circular economy.
An innovation for the lighting sector.
The project is based on the remanufacturing process, which involves the disassembly of products that have reached the end of their life cycle. Components that cannot be reused are allocated to other end-of-life strategies, such as reconditioning, repair or recycling. Conversely, components that can still be used are cleaned and fully reintroduced into the product, giving a second life to materials otherwise destined for disposal.
‘The implementation of the new line includes a laboratory equipped with instruments and equipment to perform tests on the remanufactured products, such as mechanical strength and thermal tests. This will ensure safety and quality of the products, which will be up-to-date, safe and of the same quality as a new product. In addition, the project will include an eco-design study to design new company products based on the principles of ‘Design for Remanufacturing’, applying them to the lighting sector,’ explains Alberto Baesso, project leader.
Baesso adds: ‘Frequently, furniture or lighting design studios hardly take into account life-cycle analyses, reparability or remanufacturability at the design stage, as is also indicated in the recent revision of the Ecodesign directive 2024/1781. The same concept applies to companies that do not have the right perception of the evolution of the DPP – digital product passport. For this reason, we have decided to involve, in a project that will be launched in early 2025, the Milan Polytechnic and the IUAV of Venice in drawing up a ‘Guide to Ecodesign’ that will stimulate the designer to start from the analysis of the product life cycle, using appropriate tools to assess sustainability and impact, defined as sustainability footprint.’
New frontiers in recycled materials and additive manufacturing
Starting in spring 2025, Way Point Srl will launch a further initiative aimed at integrating materials from recycled sources, replacing polymeric materials or materials with a low sustainability footprint. These materials will be produced mainly through additive manufacturing processes and will include glass and plaster.
For glass, Way Point will collaborate with the ‘Glass Cluster’ of the IUAV in Venice, while for plaster it will work with the Design Department of the Politecnico di Bari and Eco Avant-garde. The aim is to create innovative solutions that further reduce environmental impact by promoting a responsible use of resources.
A European approach and an Italian network of excellence
The project benefits from the collaboration with universities and research institutes throughout Italy. These include:
CNR-ICAR of Palermo, for the study of remanufacturing and product life cycle analysis;
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, for the development of industrial mechanical systems;
Politecnico di Bari, for research into recycled materials such as glass and plaster, integrated through additive manufacturing.
In September 2024, Way Point presented the first European ‘Lighting Remanufacturing’ protocol, developed in collaboration with Italian universities and international institutions. This study analysed virtuous business models, with a focus on the recovery of ‘End of Life’ products from the reverse waste supply chain, an approach particularly suited to the Italian economic fabric.
Transdisciplinary collaborations and objectives
The project involves European and Italian partners to address the challenges of remanufacturing in an integrated and innovative way. The main areas of intervention include:
Circular Economy and Reverse Supply Chain (University of Padua and University of Florence),
Mechanical Design and Process Lines (CNR and University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli),
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Sustainability (University of Palermo).
An international milestone
The project results will be presented at the international conference ICoR 2025, which will be held in Amsterdam from 8 to 10 April 2025. This event will provide an important platform to share innovations in remanufacturing and strengthen Way Point’s role as a leader in the circular economy.
Press contacts
Way Point Srl
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