ABB & Molg: Unlocking Circularity With Robot Microfactories

ABB Motion’s Drive Products division has made an investment in Virginia-based circular manufacturing firm Molg through ABB Motion Ventures.

The investment is focused on optimising the design and reusability of ABB drives by tapping into Molg’s expertise in manufacturing design.

Through the integration of Molg’s robotic Microfactories into ABB’s operations, the partnership aims to streamline assembly and testing processes, boost resource efficiency and promote greater circularity in manufacturing.

“Our investment in Molg means we are part of an innovation ecosystem which develops new solutions for product circularity," comments Tuomo Hoysniemi, President of ABB Drive Products.

"This investment to develop our drives portfolio through recycling and reusing of components is aligned with our aims to increase circularity within our portfolio."

Enhancing manufacturing circularity

ABB and Molg first partnered in 2023 when Molg won the ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge.

Following this achievement, ABB Drive Products and Molg collaborated to develop a proof of concept for assembling drives using Molg’s robotics-driven Microfactories.

In October 2024, ABB Robotics & Automation Ventures participated in Molg’s seed funding round, supporting the startup’s efforts to scale its production capacity and tackle electronic waste through robotics and design.

This latest investment marks the next stage of their collaboration, centred on scaling these innovations.

A key factor in ABB Drive Products’ decision to invest in Molg is the company’s strong expertise in circular manufacturing. ABB aims for 80% of its products to adhere to a full life cycle circular approach by 2030.

Molg’s robotic Microfactories will contribute to this target by improving the efficiency of configured-to-order drive production through automation-driven assembly and testing.

Through the reuse, repurposing and recycling of components, ABB is strengthening its commitment to supporting a circular economy.

Tuomo adds: "Molg’s Microfactories are especially suited to the ABB Drive Products’ customisable product range and will give us an increased ability to meet unique customer and market future requirements, while at the same time preserving valuable resources.”

Aligning with ABB’s local-for-local strategy

The partnership between ABB and Molg supports ABB’s wider strategy of fostering local manufacturing ecosystems.

The Swiss multinational recently revealed a US$100m investment in a campus in New Berlin, Wisconsin, as part of its ‘local for local’ approach. This initiative focuses on using locally-sourced materials for in-country production, enabling ABB to better meet the needs of regional customers.

It also strengthens ABB’s efforts towards circularity by reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions from manufacturing and enhancing supply chain resilience.

Through the integration of Molg’s solutions, ABB aims to improve its capacity to meet customer-specific demands while upholding sustainability principles.

The adoption of robotic Microfactories will offer greater manufacturing flexibility, allowing ABB to efficiently customise its products while minimising material waste.

Rob Lawson-Shanks, CEO and Co-Founder at Molg, concludes: "Winning ABB’s Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge was great recognition for us and we are even more excited to continue our collaboration with ABB Drive Products within circularity and automation.

"We're thrilled to work with ABB Drive Products to design more circular products and create circular manufacturing processes for electronics to enhance supply chain resilience and ensure valuable materials are kept in circulation.”

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