TwinCE – Supply-chain-integrated cross-product lifecycle information management for non-ferrous metals

TwinCE develops digital solutions for circular value chains in the non-ferrous metals sector. At the heart of this is a digital twin that links information on materials, processes, and life cycles throughout the supply chain. The goal is to use secondary metals more effectively, close material loops, and conserve resources while reducing emissions.

Project Description

TwinCE – Supply-Chain Integrated Cross-Product Lifecycle Information Management for Non-Ferrous Metals —examines how digital twins can contribute to the implementation of circular value chains in the metalworking industry. The focus is on non-ferrous metals, the production and processing of which involve high resource and energy consumption.

The project’s goal is to digitally link material, process, and lifecycle information throughout the supply chain. This is intended to enable more targeted use of secondary metals, make material cycles more transparent, and better tap into opportunities for reuse. TwinCE combines materials science issues with digital methods of lifecycle information management, thereby contributing to resource conservation and CO₂ reduction.

Key Focus Areas of the Project

Development of a digital twin for circular value chains of non-ferrous metals
Linking material, process, and lifecycle data along the supply chain
Supporting the use of secondary metals and reusable material streams
Addressing regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport
Establishment of a software platform to consolidate various information sources
Analysis of barriers to the implementation of circular processes in the non-ferrous metals industry
Transferring the developed approaches to other material and process chains

Everything at a Glance

Duration
July 1, 2024 – May 31, 2027 (Ongoing)
Research Area
Circular Materials Design
Funding
State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union

Research Objectives

Develop a Digital Twin for Non-Ferrous Metals

TwinCE develops digital twins that link material, process, and lifecycle data across the value chain. The goal is to provide a more transparent view of material conditions and enable informed decisions regarding use, reuse, and recycling.

Making More Targeted Use of Secondary Metals

A key objective is to improve the use of secondary metals in industrial process chains. By making relevant material and process information available digitally, it should be possible to better assess the quality, traceability, and potential applications of recycled metals.

Supporting Circular Value Chains

TwinCE lays the groundwork for sustainable and resource-efficient material cycles. The approaches developed are designed to help companies reduce material losses, close material loops, and implement circular business and process models in practice.

The Project Team

Anna Lamanova M.Sc.

Research Associate

anna.lamanova@uni-siegen.de

0271/740-4660

More about the person

Funding Agencies and Partners

The TwinCE research project is funded under the NRW 2021–2027 ERDF/JTF program. Funding is provided by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union as part of the GreenEconomy.IN.NRW innovation competition. Through this support, the project promotes the development of digital and circular solutions for the resource-efficient use of non-ferrous metals.

TwinCE is being implemented in collaboration with several academic and industrial partners. Participants include the Chair of Business Information Systems and New Media and the Chair of Materials Science and Testing at the University of Siegen, the Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Development at RWTH Aachen University, and the industry partners BIKAR Recycling GmbH and Franz Hillebrand KG. Together, the partners combine expertise in materials engineering, digitalization, lifecycle information management, and the industrial processing of non-ferrous metals.