Implementing energy-saving and environmental-benign paradigm: machine tool remanufacturing by OEMs in China

• The development status of machine tool remanufacturing in China is discussed.
• The industry models of machine tool remanufacturing for OEMs are proposed.
• The economic and environmental benefits of machine tool remanufacturing are analyzed.

With the excess consumption of resources and the deterioration of the environment, machine tool remanufacturing is paid more and more attention for its enormous economic and social benefits. Based on the analysis of the industry development status of machine tool remanufacturing in various countries, it is pointed out that the machine tool remanufacturing industry mainly consists of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) of machine tool, third-party remanufacturers and manufacturers of NC (Numerical Control) system. Due to the advantages of OEMs of machine tool in brand, technology, talented persons and logistics, it may be the main body of machine tool remanufacturing industry in China. Combined with the development characteristics of this industry, three industry models of machine tool remanufacturing by OEMs are analyzed, including recycling-based machine tool remanufacturing, solution-based machine tool remanufacturing and trade-in machine tool remanufacturing. The solution-based industry model of machine tool remanufacturing would be the most promising one for the OEMs and the users. In addition, the economic and environmental benefits of machine tool remanufacturing are analyzed with a case study of production line upgrading solution for gear based on machine tool remanufacturing by OEMs.