DUPLO: Disassembly: Execution - Planning - Organisation

How do you efficiently disassemble products when the original technical documentation is missing? In the DUPLO project, researchers from The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Fontys University of Applied Sciences are working with businesses to develop a standardised method for disassembly. This method helps businesses to disassemble products more intelligently, stimulate reuse and better estimate residual value – even without technical drawings. 

By integrating this approach into a Digital Product Passport (DPP), the exchange and reuse of disassembly plans is facilitated. 

Motive

The transition to a circular economy requires smarter and more efficient reuse of materials and products. Manufacturing businesses in the SME sector are running into bottlenecks in this regard. Consider limited insight into residual value, missing disassembly instructions and few tools to comply with European regulations such as the CSRD, CSDDD and ESPR. The DUPLO project responds to this with a digital approach: a standardised disassembly plan, integrated into a Digital Product Passport.

Objective 

The project focuses on developing a standardised, machine-readable description for disassembly, based on characteristics of the physical product. This description can easily be converted into practical instructions and manuals for efficient disassembly of products. By including this information in a Digital Product Passport – which also includes data on disassemblability, materials used and reuse scenarios – it becomes possible to share and reuse this knowledge widely. 

Not only does this approach help businesses increase productivity, it also helps them better predict disassembly costs. This makes it easier to select products with a promising circular business case. In the long term, the project will contribute to a better understanding of the ReX value (reuse of materials, components and complete products) and a more efficient organisation of disassembly processes. 

Research 

The research team is developing a Disassembly Plan that includes information on the order and method of disassembly. This plan is linked to the Digital Product Passport. Using Asset Administration Shell Technology, the data is standardised and made widely applicable. This way, businesses easily gain access to detailed disassembly guidelines and economic valuations. This approach can be applied to product groups such as capital goods (e.g. electric motors and machines) and circular solar energy systems (PV systems). AI-driven technology and vision-based automation support the recognition and documentation of parts and materials.

Expected results

The project produces a standardised description for the disassembly of products, integrated into a digital system that can be widely applied in the manufacturing industry. This enables businesses to:

• increase disassembly efficiency,
• better estimate ReX value,
• improve the selection of products for circular reuse,
• anticipate European regulations with a practically applicable system.

For whom?

For manufacturing businesses in the SME sector that want to produce circularly, disassemble more efficiently, and be prepared for upcoming European legislation and regulations. 

Collaboration partners 

DUPLO is a collaboration between the Smart Sustainable Manufacturing research group of The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the High Tech Embedded Software research group of Fontys University of Applied Sciences and various businesses and organisations:

• Remade in Holland, Botau Engineering & Construction, Biosphere Solar, SNEW and Werkse are practice partners in the manufacturing industry.
• AM-Flow and Grimbergen are involved as technology providers.
• Platform Circulaire Maakindustrie supports knowledge sharing and scaling up of the results. 

Duration of the project 

April 2025 – April 2027

Funding 

The Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA subsidises the project within the RAAK SME scheme.

Team 

The Hague University of Applied Sciences – research group Smart Sustainable Manufacturing:

• dr. Jenny Coenen, professor
• Abboy Verkuilen, researcher
• Mirjam Zijderveld

Fontys University of Applied Sciences:

• Teade Punter,
• Karin Dieleman,
• Edwin van de Oetelaar

Contact

Do you want to know more about this project? Please contact:

Mirjam Zijderveld, [email protected]
Abboy Verkuilen, [email protected]

Read more:

Disassembly Plan Representation by Hypergraph