Reverse Engineering Approach for Enhancing Product Circularity Under Consideration of Ecological and Economic Aspects

Sebastian Zürn; Torsten  Müller; Frank Henning

doi:10.55845/joce-2026-41192

Authors

Sebastian Zürn Fraunhofer ICT Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5655-0931
Torsten Müller Fraunhofer ICT Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0381-438X
Frank Henning Fraunhofer ICT and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7238-7767

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55845/joce-2026-41192

Keywords:

Reverse Engineering, Circular Economy, Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing, Life Cycle Gap Assessment, Design for Sustainability

Abstract

Achieving a circular economy (CE) is a key sustainability objective, but solutions and methods to guide users towards implementation at the product level are lacking. Generic guidelines such as Design for X (DfX) and purely quantitative assessment methods, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and circularity assessment via the Life Cycle Gap Analysis (LCGA), confront practitioners with the challenge of translating them into actionable measures. To close this gap, this study proposes a four-step reverse engineering (RE) approach that traces back circularity weaknesses along the product life cycle and derives possible changes in product design, production steps, and materials based on DfX. The approach incorporates quantitative assessment via LCA, LCGA, and LCC to ensure ecological and economic improvement based on the changes derived at product level, without burden shifting towards another life cycle phase. This approach embeds within CE frameworks, bridging qualitative and quantitative methods.

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