Intelligent Electronics Valuation for a Circular Future
The project KIBARtronik combines artificial intelligence, economic data, and practical expertise into a system that unlocks new value from returned electronics. Automated, transparent, and economically viable, enabling the circular economy of tomorrow.
An Industry Between Untapped Potential and Resource Pressure
Electronic devices have become an essential part of everyday life. Yet many returned devices remain unused or are discarded too early, often because it is unclear whether repair or reuse would be worthwhile. This gap between available resources and their actual use puts pressure on the environment, supply chains, and companies. Valuable materials remain unutilized while demand for raw resources continues to grow.
What is missing is a reliable data basis to evaluate the condition and residual value of used electronics. Decisions about repair, reuse, or recycling are often made on assumptions, leading to the loss of potential that could drive a more sustainable electronics industry.
Our Vision
The KIBARtronik project team develops a system that enables the automated evaluation of returned electronics. At its core is modular software that integrates technical, visual, and economic data to determine the condition and residual value of used components.
The solution establishes a common data basis for decisions on circular value strategies and lays the foundation for digital evaluation processes in a circular electronics industry.
How Data Turns into Decisions
The Five Core System Components
Impact & Benefits
Ecological
KIBARtronik promotes resource efficiency and strengthens circular value creation in line with the National Circular Economy Strategy, the EU ESPR, and ERDF objectives.
Economic
The system reduces testing and refurbishment costs, improves process efficiency, and enables new data-driven business models within the electronics industry.
Digitalization
KIBARtronik applies artificial intelligence to link technical, visual, and economic data and to support real-time, data-driven decision-making.
Scalability
The modular software architecture is API-ready and can be seamlessly integrated into industrial testing environments, cloud systems, and additional product categories.
Partners & Consortium
INC Innovation Center
Aachen, Germany
The INC Innovation Center connects research, technology, and industry. As consortium leader, INC coordinates the project activities and leads the development and validation of the data and economic models and software architecture, to ensure a scalable and working system solution.
Fraunhofer IIS
Erlangen, Germany
Fraunhofer IIS is one of the leading research institutes for microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Within KIBARtronik, the institute develops and trains AI models for defect detection and classification and supports scientific validation.
Sagemcom
Bois-Colombes, France
Sagemcom is an international technology group specializing in broadband, energy, and IoT solutions. The company provides real electronic components and test data, supports AI training, and validates the developed evaluation modules under real-world conditions.
Arvato
Gütersloh, Germany
Arvato Supply Chain Solutions is a globally operating provider of logistics and refurbishment services. The company brings expertise in refurbishing and evaluating electronic products and tests the KIBARtronik solution in operational processes.
Project Updates & News
More posts will follow during the project
Stay informed about interim meetings, milestones, and publications.
Events
Upcoming Events
Project meeting to present results from WP1 and ongoing work in WP2
Conference on Technology and Innovation in Industry
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Project meeting to evaluate results from the first project year
Past Events
Funding & Duration
The project is co-financed within the framework of the ERDF/JTF Program North Rhine-Westphalia 2021–2027 by the European Union and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Duration: October 2025 – September 2028
Contact
INC Innovation Center GmbH
Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen
kibartronik@innovation-center.com