Use Less, Use Better and Use Again – Cummins ReCon is leading the way!

As the world grapples with an urgent need to lower emissions, Cummins has embarked on a journey powered by sustainable innovation aimed at creating a cleaner and greener future for all its stakeholders. From cutting-edge engine designs to innovative power technologies, Cummins is at the forefront of driving change. However, amidst this journey of innovation, there exists another path to the same destination: remanufacturing.??

?In this article, we shine a spotlight on remanufacturing—a time-tested practice that not only aligns with Cummins' Destination Zero strategy but also highlights our commitment to implementing circular economy principles and environmental responsibility.??

Closing the Loop: From Use to Reuse?

Imagine a worn-out engine, ready to be scrapped. The same engine is dismantled, inspected, cleaned, calibrated and tested to meet the same specifications as new parts and engines. That is remanufacturing for you.??

?At its core, remanufacturing aims at refurbishing old parts and engines to make them as good as new for reuse. Remanufacturing has emerged as a crucial way to improve business sustainably. At Cummins, it helps us in the following ways:??

1. Economize for our Customers: ReCon parts and engines, available at your local Cummins distributor or authorized dealer, are easily accessible, without any extended waiting periods. This means customers experience minimal downtime and are up and running immediately. Offered at a much lower cost as compared to new counterparts, all ReCon products are backed by standard warranty coverage, ensuring that our customers enjoy a hassle-free user experience. ? ?
2. Material and Energy Efficiency: Remanufacturing minimizes waste generation by transforming used products into usable assets. A balance between material conservation and energy savings, each manufactured component represents one less item to be mined, processed, and transported - a tangible reduction in our ecological footprint.? ?
3. Circular Economy: Remanufacturing disrupts the linear model of ‘take–make–use–dispose’ and is a great example of circular economy in action. By breathing new life into existing parts, we embrace the ethos of sustainability, giving way to a harmonious cycle where waste becomes opportunity, and ingenuity leads to environmental sustainability.??

Remanufacturing at Cummins: Innovative and Thorough??

Cummins has been perfecting its remanufacturing process for decades. New tools and processes have been added, including additive manufacturing (also called 3D Printing), collaborative robots (also known as ‘cobots’), laser cleaning, and more. These innovations serve as an opportunity to maximize remanufacturing efficiency while also creating a safer workplace for our employees.??

Our remanufacturing process consists of the following steps:??

• Disassembly?

Parts and engines are disassembled – right down from the last screw nut, bolt, and spring.?

• Cleaning?

Each part is effectively cleaned using the latest technology to remove debris, as per specific cleaning needs.?

• Inspection?

Ultrasonic inspection along with other technologies is a method used to verify every ReCon product.?

• Restoration?

To make our restoration process more efficient, wherever necessary, the worn surfaces are restored with thermal spray and laser deposition techniques. We have computer-controlled machining centers to renew critical components. While we use state-of-the-art techniques to achieve consistent quality in assembly, every upgrade and supersession is included as a part of our remanufacturing process. In case a part doesn’t match the mentioned specifications, we ensure that it is replaced with a genuine Cummins part.?

• Testing?

Our evaluation of the performance and reliability of our ReCon engines and parts is conducted through rigorous testing protocols equivalent to those used for new products, ensuring fail-safe operation and the utmost confidence in every remanufactured item.?

With this process followed across 190+ countries with 3,700+ service locations and 7,600 dealer locations, we:??

• Utilize 85% less energy to produce a remanufactured engine?
• Prevent the production of 400 million pounds of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)??
• Reclaim 70 million pounds of material

Remanufacturing: Driving Sustainable Innovation and Change?

?Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and doing more to use less of the world’s natural resources starts by acting with accountability. We continually strive to support a better planet by building new parts and engines with remanufacturing in mind??

Our actions support the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. These ambitions are formalized in our PLANET 2050 strategy that establishes concrete goals for 2030 and broader aspirations for 2050. ?

In the long run, remanufacturing will help us deliver on our Destination Zero strategy, our path to zero emissions by 2050. For our objectives of 2030, we are on our way to creating a circular lifecycle plan for every part to use less, use better, and use again.?

Taking key strides toward achieving our goals of reducing the environmental impact of our operations and products, we also align with the top global remanufacturing initiatives. Our focus is on decreasing remanufacturing waste, designing high-value components to have sufficient life for multiple use cycles, and planning for material recycling.?

Powered by a strong sense of purpose, remanufacturing offers a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. By moving from a linear life cycle model to a circular life cycle model, businesses can harness both the environmental and the financial benefits. Adopting a circular life cycle plan is a sensible choice for businesses aiming for sustainable growth while keeping costs down. Continuing to challenge the status quo, we renew the capability and extend the lifespan of the engine and parts, helping our customers and the world get to where they are going, only faster.?

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