PMM reports on a conversation held between Denso’s Fatiha Laauich and Kazuyuki Kito, representative of the remanufacturing department at Denso.
Fatiha Laauich (FL): What is Denso’s commitment to sustainability and how do remanufactured products fit into this vision?
Kazuyuki Kito (KK): Despite the fact that some still question the validity of the process, the environmental benefits are undeniable. The primary advantage is the significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to manufacturing new products from raw materials. Although the figures vary, dependant on the part being produced, typically the CO2 saving is around 40 per cent, which is clearly a substantial gain and is largely achieved because, while having to undergo some form of renovation, the core can be reused.
FL: So how do we ensure the quality and reliability of our remanufactured products?
KK: Concerns over the quality of the remanufactured products can quickly be alleviated by the fact that performance bench testing is fundamental to the production process, which ensures that both their quality and reliability are fully verified. However, due to the reason that some of the elements within the unit are recycled, the warranty on a remanufactured part is naturally less than for a totally new version.
FL: What are the main challenges in the remanufacturing process?
KK: Although their quality and environmental credentials are beyond doubt, one of the disadvantages of remanufacturing is the time required to produce them. This is because the process is both reliant on sourcing the core unit to be remanufactured and undertaking the additional steps to disassemble and determine whether any parts can be reused, for example, which naturally takes considerably longer than simply producing a new unit. This, however, is only really a logistical problem for Denso, so has no real impact on the customer.
FL: And the logistics of sourcing core units?
KK: Sourcing core units to remanufacture is often a challenge because it is dependent on the availability, as well as their condition. So, understandably, it’s generally easier to find the core for popular vehicle applications built in high numbers than it is for more unusual references, where the reliance on the return of the original part being replaced, is much higher.
FL: Who is the primary customer for remanufactured products?
KK: Although vehicle owners are the ultimate beneficiaries of its remanufactured components, our customers are primarily the wholesale distributors that supply its parts to workshops that service and repair vehicles on a daily basis. Dependant on the product being remanufactured, the process is either carried out by us directly, or for some diesel products for example, through the Denso Service repair network, which is a combination of independent diesel specialists, based throughout Europe, that are trained and authorised by us to execute diagnostics, service and repair to Denso standards.
FL: How does remanufacturing contribute to a sustainable future?
KK: As the world in general has a greater awareness of the need to recycle products and reduce the production of green houses gases, in order to ensure a sustainable future, the remanufacture of automotive components is clearly a complementary activity. Our goal is to achieve a circular economy in which it reuses as much of what is produced as possible, and what is does produce is manufactured in a carbon neutral basis. This objective will continue for the longer term, but with the global shift from combustion engines to electric means of vehicle propulsion, certain products such as starters and alternators will begin to become more difficult to source, as the number of core units that are able to be salvaged, begins to decline.
FL: Do some still have reservations about remanufactured products?
KK: With the combined benefits of remanufactured products, which include their environmental, as well as performance and reliability credentials, it’s a shame that some still perceive these products to be a ‘cheap’ option, rather than a positive contribution to the health of the planet and a cost effective and dependable repair solution.
