In conversation with: ZF
In this exclusive Rematec interview, ZF Reman's Tomasz Galazka, Head of Global REMAN Strategy & Development, reveals how remanufacturing can drive a sustainable future—offering high performance with less environmental impact.
Discover how ZF harnesses digital tools like CorExpedia, explores AI to perfect quality, and partners with customers to meet rising demand. With groundbreaking innovations in e-mobility remanufacturing and a bold vision for Rematec Amsterdam 2025, ZF is setting the stage for a greener, more efficient industry.
- What are the biggest benefits of remanufacturing for the automotive industry from both sustainability and cost perspectives?
By choosing remanufactured products, you avoid CO2 emissions and can save up to 90% of raw materials. If we consider choosing a product in its second life rather than buying new, we can really make an impact on the environment. What's more, real remanufactured products are still of excellent quality, so it's not a choice between sustainability and quality. Our products offer both excellent performance parameters and an ecological choice.
By choosing remanufactured products, you avoid CO2 emissions and can save up to 90% of raw materials.
- Can you share how ZF Aftermarket is using digitalization to enhance remanufacturing processes?
As the return process is an essential part of the entire remanufacturing process, we focus on it. The best example of digitalisation is our CorExpedia application. CorExpedia is ZF’s answer to a simpler, more straightforward core returns program. It’s an easy to use, intuitive online portal where ZF’s direct customers (distributors) can log into their unique password protected account, and by following a simple guided process can prepare returns for the receipt of core. A transport of returned cores depends on the region can be organized and provided by ZF, or customer shall organize his own delivery. Our customers can define any address in Europe they want to pick up the cores – it can be their direct workshop too.
In addition, CorExpedia provides an overview of the core bank and all return declarations. It also gives the customer access to financial reports and allows them to track shipments.
- What role does AI or machine learning play in optimizing ZF's remanufacturing capabilities?
In remanufacturing business very important, during process of core sorting, is recognition process of incoming cores variants – especially when there is no any product nameplate or many similar variants, where human can make easy mistake with detecting right variant. Here our respond was, in one of our plant in Europe, to have image processing for core sorting process to support our decision making and make errors free evaluation process.
Another example is analyzing of components after disassembly of the core, where the components quality and correct variants are validated. IT tool supports decision about quality of components and decision to use them in re-assembly process.
However, I believe that wide AI usage is still in front of us. Actually, our lessons learned is that there are some limitations in camera system hardware and is very difficult to replace human eye capabilities, but I also believe in couple of years this barrier will be also over and step by step AI will play more and more important role in remanufacturing business.
- How does ZF collaborate with customers and OEMs to understand and fulfil the demand for remanufacturing?
ZF collaborates closely with both IAM customers and OEMs to understand and meet the demand for remanufacturing through several key initiatives. First, we maintain regular communication with customers, gathering insights into their needs and the performance requirements of our remanufactured products. By benchmarking the market, we stay attuned to which products hold strong potential for remanufacturing, helping us tailor our offerings effectively.
We also welcome customers into our facilities to demonstrate our processes and foster transparent, productive partnerships. By recognizing the specialized nature of remanufacturing, we ensure clear and consistent dialogue with our customers to address specific process requirements and expectations. This approach allows ZF to not only adapt to current demand but also drive innovation and improvements in our remanufacturing practices.
- How does ZF ensure that remanufactured parts deliver same or better performance compared to new ones?
Our key goal is to achieve minimum the same functional performance as new parts. We achieve it through implementation of quality IATF standard – same as for the OE factories. This standard determines processes to embed quality in all aspects – staring form project management ending with remanufacturing processes. For example, each product is tested for compliance with the original specifications. We control 100% of our volume in this way.
In addition, it is possible situation, when, after collecting the experience in the field, we can even improve the original parts, by replacing the old components into their new generations equivalent, which gain the better results.
- What are the latest developments and products that ZF is most proud of?
ZF is making impressive strides in the remanufacturing sector, covering a wide range of products across automotive segments like passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial equipment. A notable focus is on e-mobility advancements, with an emphasis on remanufacturing electric drivetrains, including e-axles, e-motors, hybrid transmissions, and related electronic systems. These require specialized engineering solutions, which has led to the establishment of a dedicated Remanufacturing Innovation team within ZF to build and leverage expertise in these cutting-edge areas.
Another significant development is the creation of an IT-based core management solution to streamline and control the remanufacturing process. The CorExpedia application, mentioned above as the important element of the process digitalization, brings many advantages to the remanufacturing efficiency and customers experience.
- In 2025, you will be exhibiting at Rematec Amsterdam, what are you expecting from joining us in Amsterdam?
At Rematec Amsterdam 2025, we are thrilled to present our remanufacturing business under one identity, ZF REMAN, which embodies our commitment to advancing sustainable and high-quality remanufacturing solutions. We expect this platform to offer unique opportunities to connect with industry leaders, partners, and customers who are equally invested in creating a circular economy in the automotive and industrial sectors.
By showcasing our broad product categories under ZF REMAN, we aim to demonstrate our latest advancements in remanufacturing technology, from drivetrain components to electronics and more. We’re excited to gather direct feedback from visitors and gain insights into emerging needs, allowing us to continue refining our solutions to meet and exceed market demands.
- What sets Rematec Amsterdam apart from other similar events?
Rematec Amsterdam stands out as a premier event dedicated solely to remanufacturing, drawing a focused global audience of industry experts and innovators in Europe. For ZF, this is the only event exclusively focused on remanufacturing where we decide to showcase our brand, highlighting its strategic importance for us.
The event’s workshops and technical sessions showcase the latest technology and sustainability solutions, led by industry thought leaders. Additionally, Rematec’s with its ‘Remanufacturer of the Year’ Awards highlight groundbreaking advancements, setting standards within the remanufacturing industry.
