PEARL

Considering the new regulatory requirements concerning the circular economy, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the revised End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, as well as the growing demand for sustainable mobility solutions, the automotive industry is facing substantial challenges. To ensure resilient value chains in an uncertain global environment, R-strategies of the circular economy, such as repair, remanufacturing and recycling, must be integrated into the development of products at an early stage. Product developers need to define the expected life cycle of a vehicle, identify its key components and derive appropriate sustainability measures. Failure to do so may result in suboptimal design and decision-making processes. This high level of complexity in decision-making requires a system that promotes resource efficiency, reduces waste and facilitates the reuse, repair and recycling of materials.

The research project »PEARL« (Probabilistic, Ecological-Economic Assistant for Circular Product Design) combines model-based systems engineering, optimization methods and generative design algorithms within a digital assistant. The assistant supports product developers in making informed decisions throughout the vehicle life cycle. The KTH Vehicle Design Research Centre at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology is developing an algorithm that selects the most appropriate circularity strategy based on the product’s condition. The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO complements this work by modelling the effects of R-strategies and conducting life cycle assessments during the early stages of product development. A priori estimates provided by Fraunhofer IAO are combined with usage data from KTH to recommend the most sustainable courses of action.

The joint research project aims to develop a digital software assistant for circular product design, which can be integrated into existing product development software. The »PEARL« software assistant uses mathematical models and optimization algorithms to assess the current product design and identify critical life cycle states. Based on this analysis, it recommends the most appropriate R-strategies. In doing so, »PEARL« considers the impact of these strategies on development objectives, costs, profitability and sustainability criteria. It also analyses the interdependencies between R-strategies, product design and cost structures in order to provide specific, context-sensitive optimization recommendations. During the forthcoming project phases, »PEARL« will be further developed, validated and integrated into existing product development processes. Through collaboration with industry partners, the project aims to provide vehicle manufacturers and suppliers with approaches and tools that enable transparent decision-making and support the optimization of products in line with circular economy principles.

• Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO
  Project Manager at Fraunhofer IAO: Dr Lukas Block
• KTH Vehicle Design Research Centre at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  Project Manager at KTH Stockholm: Ciarán O'Reilly

The PEARL project is funded by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as part of the »CONNECT Science: ICON – International Cooperation and Networking Program«.