The concept for the Centre initially came out of the All-Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group, with the intention of helping to provide independent knowledge and practical advice to British industry that would promote remanufacturing.

A recent survey conducted by the HSSMI at the Resource event, hosted in early March in London, showed that the automotive, electronic equipment and rail sectors were seen as having the greatest potential for remanufacturing.

Although a handful of businesses are currently involved in remanufacturing, many that are not currently doing so identify barriers including a lack of expertise, skills and capabilities. Beyond this, comparatively few products are currently being designed for remanufacture, with barriers here including the fact that this is not being a customer requirement.