Together with an industrial consortium consisting of Citronics, Evonik, Fairphone, Infineon, MaxLinear, Sagemcom and INC Innovation Center,, Deutsche Telekom has developed an innovative approach to reuse electronic components extracted from old devices to manufacture new ones. The first fully functional prototype, the NeoCircuit Router, showcases this concept in action. A DSL router connects to the internet via a phone line, providing network access and Wi-Fi for multiple devices. The NeoCircuit Router is designed to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in production, preserve valuable resources like metals and rare earths, and decrease global resource consumption.
Key components reused
The NeoCircuit Router integrates reused central electronic components, including mainboards, processors, and memory chips from old smartphones like the Fairphone 2. Additionally, physical connectors such as DSL and USB plugs, as well as accessories like cables and power plugs, are repurposed.
Circularity and environmental impact
The prototype achieves 70% circularity in its electronics. Reusing existing processors cuts the device’s CO2 footprint by approximately 50%, significantly reducing electronic waste. While the current prototype lacks a housing, future models would feature enclosures made entirely from recycled materials.
Industry shift towards modularity
Currently, the digital industry operates linearly, with devices often discarded after short usage cycles. Manufacturers rarely design devices for easy dismantling and component reuse. In 2022 alone, around 5.3 billion mobile phones became electronic waste, despite containing functional components.
A new perspective on device design
Dr. Henning Never of Deutsche Telekom explains, "Instead of relying on traditional electronics recycling, where many parts are incinerated, we focus on reusing functional components like processors, memory, and transistors. This building-block approach can revolutionize the industry."
Sagemcom on circular innovation
Bertrand Pascual, VP Sales Broadband Business Solutions at Sagemcom, states, "NeoCircuit demonstrates that fully functional devices can be built using predominantly reused or recycled components. By extending processor lifecycles, we reduce demand for new raw materials and embrace circular design principles."
Scaling up circular technology
The project partners aim to influence market trends and encourage a shift in new device design. To make large-scale adoption feasible, automated testing and expansion of component reuse must be developed. If successful, this approach could lead to cost savings of at least 20% compared to producing entirely new components.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
