NEW RESEARCH | How to make the metals industry more sustainable – and competitive

In many factories, cutting tools are discarded as soon as they become dull, even though they can often be reused. It’s expensive, bad for the environment and makes industry dependent on imported metals from troubled parts of the world. But there is a solution.

– We must reduce our dependence on imported metals. Part of the solution is to take better care of what we already have, says Mohamed Elnourani, at Luleå University of Technology, who in his licentiate thesis has investigated how small and medium-sized companies in the metal industry can become more circular.

Europe needs metals such as tungsten and cobalt to meet the demands of the green transition and digital development. They are used in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries. However, the supply chains of these metals are unstable as they come from troubled areas such as the Congo and Russia. In addition, mining and processing the metals is bad for the environment.

Tools are thrown away unnecessarily

Cutting tools used to process metal contain these materials. Today, they are often discarded after a certain number of uses, sometimes without even knowing how worn they are.

– Many decisions on the shop floor are made by feel or habit. There are no clear systems to see how long a tool has been used, whether it can be reground or whether it really needs replacing.

Research shows that there are huge gains to be made – both economically and environmentally – if companies become better at reusing, regrinding and recycling tools. But making it work in practice requires some simple solutions.

Smart tools for smart decisions

In his research, Mohamed Elnourani has developed various aids to facilitate production decisions. These include color markings or symbols that indicate whether a tool can be reused, reground or discarded.

– Even simple tools can make a big difference. They reduce uncertainty and make it easier to make the right decisions on the ground, he says.

In order for SMEs to start working more circularly, they should use existing digital tools to track the life cycle of tools.

– Expensive IT systems are rarely required, instead QR codes or digital passports can be used to track products in the supply chain.

Building trust – and partnerships

But technology is only part of the solution. A key insight from the study is that trust matters.

– Many people prefer new tools, even if old ones can be reused. It’s not about resistance to sustainability, but about not trusting the quality of the reused tools.

This is where clear information and better communication can make a big difference. But it also requires new partnerships – for example, suppliers offering to take back and resharpen tools as part of their service.

– We see a need for common systems and clear agreements between manufacturers, suppliers and those who recycle or refurbish tools. This is how we can make the circular economy work in practice, says Mohamed Elnourani:

– It is about linking sustainability to business benefits. By thinking circularly, companies can both reduce their costs and become more competitive.

Contact Mohamed.elnourani@ltu.se

More about the thesis
Mohamed Elnourani recently presented his licentiate thesis at Luleå University of Technology: Exploring Circular Economy Practices in the Metalworking Sector: Insights from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.