Two new projects have been launched under the Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence ( IF CEED). They focus on reusing valuable raw materials and testing 3D-printed spare parts directly during missions. Called CHIPART and LabCEED, the projects started on 1 October with a combined budget of around €310,000. Their goal is to make the European defence sector more resilient, efficient and environmentally friendly by reducing waste and making better use of resources.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) manages IF CEED to bring the circular economy principles into European defence. The programme works by building a collaborative network that includes EU Ministries of Defence, industry partners, research institutes, universities, financial institutions and relevant public bodies at both national and international levels.
In October 2024, EDA invited proposals for ‘Starter Projects’ that could deliver practical results within 15 months. The first three projects, which began on 1 April, are already addressing issues such as critical raw materials, textiles, and eco-friendly management. With the addition of CHIPART and LabCEED, the programme is now moving into two new key areas.
CHIPART – Making titanium scrap useful
The first project, Chips to Parts: Circularity of titanium scrap from machining to additive manufacturing (CHIPART), aims to show how scrap titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) from machining can be turned into high-value products using 3D printing. The process is designed to be simple and energy-efficient. The project hopes to create a recycling system that safely uses secondary materials in defence, while also helping the EU rely less on raw materials from beyond the bloc.
The project brings together Idonial of Spain, the Danish Technological Institute and Belgium’s Centre for Research in Metallurgy.
LabCEED – Testing spare parts on the move
The second project, Laboratory for Circular Economy in European Defence Industry (LabCEED), is designing a mobile laboratory that can be deployed where it is needed. It will include analytical instruments and instructions, allowing teams to check and qualify spare parts produced on-site using 3D printing. This approach reduces dependence on central supply chains and helps ensure that spare parts can be used safely and effectively during missions.
The project partners are Łukasiewicz – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals of Poland and Idonial of Spain.
About IF CEED
Since October 2021, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has managed the Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence (IF CEED), a collaborative initiative applying EU Green Deal principles to the defence sector. Bringing together Ministries of Defence, industry, RTOs, financial institutions and academia, IF CEED fosters circular solutions that support both military capability and environmental goals. Now in its second phase (2023–2027), the Forum focuses on implementing and developing cross-border projects, promoting innovation and sustainable practices, and reducing the defence sector’s environmental footprint.
The Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence (IF CEED) is co-funded by the European Union (under the LIFE programme), the Italian Ministry of Defence and the Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - Directorate of Defence.