Seco, the cutting tools and solutions specialist, says circularity is about rethinking every aspect of what the company does — including how it creates, retains, and recovers value to transform manufacturing for a sustainable future.
Malvina Roci, Seco’s circularity manager, said: “Circularity pushes us to explore innovative solutions across our entire value chain. We are deepening our understanding of circular opportunities, from exploring new business models and collaborating with our supply chain to extending product life, optimising resource use, and ensuring efficient resource recovery.
“However, while recycling plays a crucial role in circularity, it is only one piece of the puzzle. We focus on designing products that are durable, easy to repair, refurbish, and recondition. Prioritising recycled and recyclable materials allows us to embed sustainability at the early design stage.”
She went on to say that designing products with circularity in mind is essential, adding that Seco goes further by collaborating closely with customers and partners to maximise product value. “With our deep engineering expertise, we help customers optimise their processes and get the most out of every tool. Through value retention strategies such as repair and reconditioning, Seco extends product lifecycles and ensures they undergo multiple use cycles before recovering valuable raw materials.
Circularity ambitions“Our reconditioning services not only help customers reduce their environmental impact but also deliver significant cost savings by enhancing the longevity of each tool. Traceability of our products and materials throughout the manufacturing value chain is crucial for realising our circularity ambitions. Seco has introduced data matrix codes on inserts and round tools to enhance traceability, as this not only plays a key role in reducing underutilised tool capacity and optimising tool longevity but also enables us and our customers to make informed decisions, such as determining the optimal cutting data or knowing when to recondition tools.
“Seco’s circularity goals are ambitious, and we aim to achieve 90% circularity in products, packaging, and waste by 2030. This involves integrating circular principles into our own operations and working with customers and suppliers to drive industry-wide change. Circularity is not just an environmental necessity, but a fundamental shift in manufacturing. By rethinking how we design, use, and recover materials, we are building a more sustainable future.”