High-tech radar systems
Several players in the Overijssel manufacturing industry specialise in high-tech information systems such as radar systems. This factsheet from the Regional Transition Agenda Manufacturing Overijssel breaks down the material value, supply risk and circular revenue models of high-tech radar systems.
What are high-tech radar systems?
Several players in the Overijssel manufacturing industry specialise in producing high-tech information systems. The figures on materials and impact are largely drawn from a report on e-waste in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, adapted to this product category.
Iron is common, with a share of 53%, and is enriched with metals such as chromium, cobalt and antimony for special conductive properties. The most common components are integrated circuits, relays, capacitors, processors, switches, conductors, connectors, fuses, printed circuit boards, LEDs, diodes and solder paste.
Part of: the Regional Transition Agenda Circular Economy Overijssel, manufacturing industry · main project. Commissioned by: Province of Overijssel. Analysis: product footprint, material impact, supply risk and circular revenue models.
Product components
Three component groups together make up 95% of the total weight and are distributed almost evenly by weight. Value per tonne is exceptionally high. The materials used mainly as alloying elements, such as nickel, manganese and chromium, carry a high impact.
| Component | Weight | Value per tonne | Eco-costs per tonne | Share of eco-costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICT and telephony components | 33.30% | €428,837.40 | €368.57 | 39.08% |
| Monitoring and control instruments | 33.30% | €428,837.40 | €271.64 | 28.80% |
| ICT plastics | 33.40% | €430,125.20 | €303.02 | 32.13% |
Environmental impact and supply risk
The highest environmental impact comes from copper, iron and steel, and aluminium, along with nickel, tungsten, manganese and chromium. Various types of plastic together account for almost 20% of the impact. Palladium stands out: its impact is significant despite its small share. Palladium is used mainly in catalytic converters in the automotive industry and as an electrode in high-value electrical equipment.
Double risk. Palladium carries a high risk to both supply security and business reputation. That makes supply security part of product strategy and design choices.
| Raw material | Risk type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Palladium | supply security and reputation | high risk to both |
| Antimony | supply security | high risk to supply security |
| Silver, cobalt and neodymium | supply security | risk to supply security |
| Tin and tungsten | business reputation | risk to business reputation |
Where is value retained?
Components in this industry hold on average almost 1,000 times more value per kilogram than the materials. The greatest economic potential lies in extending the product’s lifespan, especially at the level of component retention.
The value-chain analysis compares the regional economic perspective by chain phase, from new materials to landfill.
| Chain phase | Regional economic perspective (€ millions) |
|---|---|
| Materials (virgin/new materials) | €0.60 |
| Components (new components) | €388.92 |
| Product | €906.00 |
| Reuse (product) | €271.80 |
| Repair (product) | €724.80 |
| Refurbish (product) | €679.50 |
| Remanufacture (secondary components in/for product) | €724.80 |
| Repurpose (components for or as another product) | €226.50 |
| Recycle (materials) | €0.06 |
| Landfill (lost) | €−0.60 |
Revenue models and scores
The greatest economic potential lies in extending the product’s lifespan, especially at the level of component retention. Various business models are possible.
Opportunities and points of attention for circularity:
- A long equipment lifespan and a high price.
- Demand is almost impossible to plan for and the equipment is almost always in use.
- Difficult to recycle and highly complex.
- Fairly modular. This means circularity opportunities are relatively low.
Product properties that support circularity, scored from 1 (low indication) to 5 (high indication):
| Product property | Score (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Price per unit | 5 |
| Technical lifespan | 3 |
| Modularity | 3 |
| Predictability of demand | 2 |
| Recyclability | 2 |
| Frequency of use | 1 |
| Product simplicity | 1 |
Further reading
This factsheet belongs to the main project on circular revenue models in the Overijssel manufacturing industry and connects to New Economy’s broader services around product footprint and circular design.
Insights from this project
Frequently asked questions
Components hold on average almost 1,000 times more value per kilogram than the raw materials. That makes retaining components through lifespan extension more valuable than material-level recycling.
Palladium carries a high risk to both supply security and business reputation. Antimony carries a high supply-security risk; silver, cobalt and neodymium also pose a supply risk, while tin and tungsten pose a reputational risk.
Circularity opportunities are relatively low: the equipment is difficult to recycle and highly complex, though fairly modular. The long lifespan and high price make lifespan extension the most promising route.
At product level, the chain represents 906 million euros of economic perspective in the region. Lifespan extension and component retention hold the most value; material-level recycling yields almost nothing.
From factsheet to circular strategy
The analysis makes visible where material value, critical raw materials and revenue models converge. Product Footprint and circular design translate these insights into choices in design, procurement, service and reverse logistics.
View Product Footprint