Members of the University of Bologna, the University of Parma, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia represented the ZEvRA project at the International Trade Fair for the Aluminium Supply Chain.
During the fair, Lorenzo Donati from the University of Bologna conducted a workshop titled “Harmonised Circularity in the Extrusion Industry: The EU Project ZEvRA.” The workshop focused on Digital Tools and Use Case Prototypes, specifically the development of a virtual twin for aluminium alloys and components. Detailed discussions covered the steps of alloy selection and development, lab-level extrusion trials, and the advanced digital twin model. The fair was organized under the theme “Primary and Recycled Aluminium in the Extrusion Sector: Challenges of Sustainability in the Supply Chain Process” and took place from March 5th to 7th, 2025, in Bologna.
About the project
Our Vision and motivation is a climate-neutral economy that uses resources efficiently and designs products from the outset according to the principles of the circular economy, from rethink to reuse and repurpose to recycling. The European automotive industry as a leading sector in the establishment of a circular economy that minimises CO₂ emissions, secures important raw materials, implements cutting-edge technologies and creates sustainable jobs.
The mission of ZEvRA is to enhance the circularity of light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) across their entire value chain, encompassing design, materials, manufacturing and end-of-life (EoL) processes–aligning with the European Commission’s aspiration–to achieve zero CO2emissions by 2035, particularly within the EV value chain.
The objective is to enhance the circularity of light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) across their entire value chain, encompassing design, materials, manufacturing and end-of-life (EoL) processes
- Design for Circularity methodology and a holistic circularity assessment
- Develop zero-emission solutions for eight use cases
- Circular Car Concept based on the Skoda Enyaq IV
- Awareness and acceptability of our circularity strategy by a guided approach and demonstration of key aspects and advantages
- Virtual learning and a robust educational platform for training and upskilling the industrial workforce
- Adopt circular business models to our zero emission solutions
