Supporting railway sustanability through
data-driven decision-making.

NRPCES (New Replacement Policy Considering Environmental Sustainability) is an international R&D project aimed at developing a cutting-edge digital tool for determining the optimal economic replacement time of industrial equipment and live monitoring of CO₂ emissions. By combining real cost data, environmental parameters, and advanced predictive analytics, the project supports the transformation of industry toward circularity, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness.

The project delivers a data-driven, ICT-enabled decision-support system that allows companies—especially in asset-heavy sectors—to better understand when to repair, refurbish, or replace machinery. A key innovation is the ability to track the live carbon footprint of production equipment, helping industries fulfil regulatory requirements and internal sustainability goals.

By addressing the full lifecycle of industrial assets—often spanning decades—NRPCES contributes to reducing both the total cost of ownership and environmental impact. Real-time CO₂ monitoring tools and cost-carbon analysis across supply chains will empower both SMEs and large enterprises to meet ambitious climate targets and align with EU regulatory frameworks.

The main objective of the NRPCES project is to develop a data-driven, ICT-enabled decision-support system that determines the optimal economic replacement time of industrial equipment based on real cost data and environmental parameters. The project also aims to enable live monitoring of CO₂ emissions from operation, supporting the evaluation of sustainability KPIs and compliance with regulatory frameworks.

By integrating environmental and economic insights into equipment lifecycle decisions, NRPCES supports the transition from a linear to a circular economy and promotes more responsible and efficient use of industrial resources.

NRPCES is funded under the Eureka Clusters Sustainability Call 2022, with support from innovation agencies in Sweden (VINNOVA), Belgium (INNOVIRIS), and Portugal (ANI/Norte 2030). The consortium brings together leading universities, research centers, and industry partners from across Sweden, Belgium, and Portugal, ensuring deep multidisciplinary expertise.

The project started in October 2023 and will be completed by the end of September 2026.

The NRPCES project brings together partners from Sweden, Belgium, and Portugal, combining industry knowledge with academic research. Swedish partners include Damill AB, Predge AB, and Trafikverket, alongside Luleå University of Technology and Mälardalen University, who contribute expertise in maintenance, AI, and sustainability. From Belgium, Sirris supports innovation through data modeling and platform design, while in Portugal, Dosta Tec, FEUP, and ISEP focus on life cycle assessment, digital tools, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

NRPCES helps companies reduce both costs and environmental impact by showing the best time to repair or replace industrial equipment. With tools to monitor CO₂ emissions in real time, the project supports businesses in meeting new climate regulations like the European Green Deal and Fit for 55. It also encourages smarter use of resources by promoting a shift from a linear to a circular economy. The insights and digital tools developed in NRPCES will make companies more competitive, more efficient, and better prepared for future sustainability requirements.

NRPCES includes four key use cases that demonstrate the practical application of its tools across different industrial contexts. In Sweden, Damill AB is developing an AI-supported maintenance strategy for railway switches to extend equipment life and reduce emissions, while Predge AB and Trafikverket focus on real-time monitoring and replacement of railway components based on lifecycle cost and carbon data. In Belgium, Sirris works with manufacturing SMEs to optimize machinery replacement by integrating economic and environmental indicators. In Portugal, FEUP and ISEP explore the sustainable redesign of a freight railway line for passenger use in Porto, applying predictive maintenance, digital tools, and LCA-informed decisions.

NRPCES will deliver a digital decision-support tool that calculates the optimal replacement time of industrial equipment by combining real cost data with environmental impact metrics.

The project will also provide a real-time CO₂ monitoring system and a digital platform that supports more sustainable, circular, and cost-effective maintenance strategies. If applied correctly, this platform will help reduce the environmental impact of maintenance activities across industries.

In addition to its technical outcomes, NRPCES will generate scientific publications, host workshops, and contribute to building a stronger, more informed research and innovation community in the fields of lifecycle analysis, maintenance engineering, and sustainable industrial systems.

NRPCES is aligned with international agendas to fulfil the need for closing the loop on the use of planetary sources. Being the railway and aviation part manufacturing high in the use of products and waste, the DSS created in this project will allow a more efficient use of resources by encouraging longer use of them utilizing ERT policies. DSS will help managers towards a more circular economy, where the life cycle of machinery can be extended, bringing value to society and to companies, reducing costs and saving commercial expenses while fulfilling sustainability goals and climate mitigation actions.

Fit for 55: NRPCES, with the full commitment of all partners to a more sustainable and low-carbon railway sector, actively contributes to the EU’s climate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.