The first circular wheelchair by Etac

Wheelchairs ready for disposal and recycling are returned to the original manufacturing site in Sweden. Onsite each product undergoes a thorough quality inspection. Parts are replaced and functionality is secured to re-assure the same technical life and warranty as a new product. The product is then provided with a new production serial number, and is hereby revived and ready for a new user. That is called Etac re:vive.

This is an important step towards continued circular innovation and sets an example for future co-creation with other customers. Etac's ambition is to inspire and enable customers to provide end-users with products for better everyday lives. "We know that resources are limited and that there are smarter ways to use them.

We believe that our customers are interested in co-creating to find innovative solutions for circular cooperation. Etac Cross re:vive is here to create these possibilities", Etac explains on their website. Circularity can involve every step in the product lifecycle, from use of material in original manufacturing to extending the product life and closing the loop by the end of the life through re-manufacturing and/or recycling.

Etac has for decades designed products to make it easy for customers to extend the product life through spare parts and ways of repairing, refurbishing and reusing. The Etac Cross re:vive project takes the process a step further by focusing on re-manufacturing of wheelchairs that would otherwise be disposed. Etac has partnered with Medux who shares the ambition to drive circular innovation. Instead of disposing their fleet of wheelchairs at the end of the product life, Medux returns their Etac wheelchairs to the original manufacturing site in Sweden. The collaboration has, among other development areas, also focused on establishing an efficient logistics model which is a key

REHACARE.com; Source: Etac AB