Every year, the world generates tens of millions of tonnes of electronic waste, while periodic semiconductor shortages and supply disruptions have simultaneously left factories scrambling for parts.
This paradox – excess discarded hardware alongside unmet demand – captures why a circular approach matters. In industrial automation, the circular economy means shifting from a “take-make-dispose” lifecycle to one that restores, reuses and recycles equipment.
Extending the life of PLCs, drives and I/O modules is therefore not only an environmental imperative but a strategic way to strengthen supply-chain resilience and reduce capital outlay during times of component scarcity. [Read more…] about Circular economy in electronics: Extending hardware life