What Circular Economy Solutions does

Circular Economy Solutions GmbH (C-ECO), founded in 2016 as a spin-off from Robert Bosch GmbH and headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, operates CoremanNet — described as the world's leading core management network for the automotive aftermarket. The company manages the end-to-end circular lifecycle of used automotive parts ("cores"), handling approximately 3 million units per year across 22 evaluation centers and 3 warehouses spanning four continents (Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia) with a return ratio of approximately 90%. C-ECO serves three primary segments — remanufacturers, wholesalers, and workshops — with additional emerging activity in EV-motor recycling and critical-raw-material recovery.\n\nThe CoremanNet platform is the operational and technological core of the business, combining a modular software stack with a global physical reverse-logistics network. Key components include AI-based identification and evaluation tools under development through the BMBF-funded EIBA project (hybrid sensor/business-data decision-making), augmented-reality-assisted sorting tested under the DiCiM project with TU Chemnitz, a mobile web-app for on-site core evaluation, and a new dashboard and analytics UI launched in December 2025. The platform covers physical collection, core inspection, warehousing, financial accounting of core return options, and finance settlement, providing enterprise customers with real-time visibility into return rights and core rejection reasons. Offices span Karlsruhe (engineering, software, controlling, project management), Göttingen (head office, CoremanNet support), and Chicago (North American representation), with operational hubs in Memphis, Rosdorf, Solihull, France, and Bucharest.\n\nC-ECO's revenue model combines subscription-based managed services for the CoremanNet digital platform (modular service packages with multi-year enterprise contracts on quote-based pricing) with transaction-based core trading (purchasing cores from workshops and reselling to remanufacturers including ZF/Sachs) and project-based circular-economy consulting. Named customers include Bosch (founding parent), ZF/Sachs, BPW Bergische Achsen, Alltrucks (channel partner), and Christian Winkler. The company is privately held, bootstrapped, and self-funded, with approximately 28-30 employees and no disclosed external funding rounds.

Name

Circular Economy Solutions

Legal name

Circular Economy Solutions GmbH

Website

https://c-eco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Circular Economy Solutions GmbH (C-ECO) operates CoremanNet, the world's leading core management network for the automotive aftermarket. It manages approximately 3 million used parts annually across 22 evaluation centers and 3 warehouses on four continents, serving OEMs, remanufacturers, wholesalers, and workshops.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Core Management Software

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers (42314)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Asset Recovery, Surplus & Decommissioning Services (EUAIANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH), Automotive Parts & Mobility Recommerce (Parts, Accessories, Bikes/Scooters) (CRAFAGAI)

Keywords

• Automotive aftermarket platforms
• Core management network
• Circular economy services
• Engine core remanufacturing
• Automotive parts reuse

Headquarters

HQ city

Göttingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CoremanNet Core Management Services: Modular software and logistics packages for core return solutions, physical collection, inspection, warehousing, and financial settlement. Flexibly adapted to individual company requirements.
2. Core Trading and Purchase: C-ECO purchases cores from the market and resells to remanufacturers to secure core availability for remanufacturing and conserve natural resources. Cores include Clutch Components, Dual-Mass Flywheels, and Torque Converters.
3. Reverse Logistics Services: Global reverse logistics network managing take-back systems and bridging gaps between circular economy actors through a worldwide logistics network.
4. Circular Economy Consulting: Expert consultancy services for businesses transitioning from linear to circular economy models, supported by senior experts.
5. Service Solution Packages: Benefit-centered service solution packages providing transparent and customized service solutions for wholesalers and remanufacturers for easier handling of circular economy processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Circular Economy Solutions GmbH (C-ECO) operates CoremanNet, a core management network for the automotive aftermarket that connects remanufacturers, wholesalers, and workshops for the collection, trading, and management of engine cores and remanufactured parts. The company was spun off from the Bosch Group in 2016 and is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, with additional offices in Göttingen, Memphis, and Chicago, supporting circular-economy workflows across multiple geographies.

Product overview

C-ECO offers a comprehensive circular economy service ecosystem built around its core platform CoremanNet, a worldwide core management network for the automotive aftermarket. The portfolio includes modular software packages for core return management, the new Dashboard and Analytics UI for enhanced insights, the ReCiPSS IT Platform for core return option management, and the CarE-Service marketplace for electric vehicle parts. Supporting services include AI-based identification tools (EIBA project), physical selection stations globally, and core purchasing. The company also participates in EU-funded research projects (DiCiM, EIBA, CarE-Service, ReCiPSS, DigiPrime) exploring innovative circular economy technologies including AR-assisted sorting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoremanNet: Leading worldwide core management network in the automotive aftermarket. Manages all typical circular economy challenges with an adaptable system. Starting with physical collection, core inspection and warehousing to financial accounting of core return options including finance settlement.

Products and services

• CoremanNet
• ReCiPSS IT Platform
• CarE-Service ICT Marketplace
• EIBA Digital Worker Support System
• CoremanNet Selection Stations
• Core Purchasing Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Handles approximately 3 million cores per year with ~90% return ratio
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Circular Republic (UnternehmerTUM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2025C-ECO and Circular Republic co-hosted a workshop on recycling of electric motors, bringing together OEMs, motor manufacturers, and recycling experts. Focused on pilot project for continuous recycling loop for neodymium magnets and other valuable materials from end-of-life motors. Circular Republic is part of Europe's largest innovation and start-up center UnternehmerTUM.
• BPW Bergische Achsen KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CoremanNet started core management for BPW in January 2022. Collecting used CV Brake calipers from all over Europe, sorting them, and providing on demand when needed. BPW uses CoremanNet's worldwide logistic network and core management expertise. Returned cores are remanufactured for another lifecycle.
• OnLogistics (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2021OnLogistics operates the CoremanNet selection station in Solihull (Birmingham area), UK. Offers ~22,000 sq ft space with capacity to sort up to ~120,000 cores per year. Located in central belt of UK adjacent to Birmingham Airport.
• Alltrucks GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2020Partnership started in spring 2020 for collecting cores from workshops affiliated to the Alltrucks network in Europe. Alltrucks is a joint venture by Bosch, Knorr-Bremse, and ZF offering commercial vehicle workshop services. Workshops can return cores into Circular Economy and receive payment.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation - CE100 ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2017C-ECO admitted to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's CE100 programme in December 2017. One of only 3 German members of a 120-company global programme for circular economy innovators. CE100 enables organisations to develop opportunities and accelerate circular economy ambitions.
• APRA Europe (Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2017C-ECO signed membership agreement with APRA Europe in October 2017. APRA is the initiator of exhibitions like Automechanika, ReMaTec, and Big R Show. C-ECO actively supports APRA in lobbying and advisory activities with the United Nations and European Commission. Peter Bartel serves as Vice Chairman of APRA Europe.
• CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC-ECO participates as sponsor at CLEPA Aftermarket Conferences and collaborates on industry initiatives. CLEPA represents over 100 international suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and more than 3,000 companies.
• Technische Universität Chemnitz (TU Chemnitz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in DiCiM (Digital Circular Economy for E-Mobility) project. TU Chemnitz and C-ECO tested AR goggles for sorting old parts at CoremanNet selection station in Rosdorf. Strong potential demonstrated for supporting employees and reducing sorting errors.
• Masaryk UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiCiM project partner. Masaryk University received used components from C-ECO to showcase automotive spare parts use-case to students, enabling hands-on learning and real-world applications in circular economy.
• Fraunhofer IPKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EIBA project (Sensor-based acquisition, automated identification and evaluation of old parts). Fraunhofer IPK contributes expertise in sensor-based identification of objects for the hybrid AI/human decision-making system.
• TU BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EIBA project. Contributes expertise in computer-aided business data analysis and Department of Sustainable Engineering for sustainability assessment.
• acatech (German Academy of Science and Engineering)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EIBA project. Contributes expertise in strategic engineering and technology policy issues, reviewing benefits and transferability to other industrial sectors.
• EIBA Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject funded by German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under ReziProk programme. Develops AI-based tools for identification and evaluation of used parts. C-ECO coordinates the project with 1m+ Euro funding.
• CarE-Service Project (EU Horizon 2020)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 funded project developing circular economy business models for electric and hybrid vehicles through reuse and remanufacturing technologies. 15 partners from 7 European countries. C-ECO develops ICT platform and marketplace for used EV parts. Project completed November 2021.
• ReCiPSS Project (EU Horizon 2020)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 funded project exploring success factors for circular manufacturing models at large scale. C-ECO leads automotive demonstrator. Develops ICT platform for core return options among remanufacturers, wholesalers, and brokers.
• DigiPrime Project (EU Horizon 2020)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project developing circular economy digital platform concept for cross-sector business models. C-ECO participates as part of validation through automotive sector pilots and use cases.
• DiCiM Project (Digital Circular Economy for E-Mobility)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccessor to ReCiPSS project. Focuses on digital circular economy solutions for e-mobility. Testing AR goggles for sorting, testing AI-based identification, and collaboration with TU Chemnitz.
• ReCiPSS ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive demonstrator partner: Lorch (German wholesaler). First cores from Lorch arrived at CoremanNet selection station in Göttingen in March 2021. Four selected Lorch outlets technically equipped to support physical core handling.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/circular-economy-solutions-gmbh

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Circular Economy Solutions