Lexmark is Advancing the Circular Economy through AI-Driven Digital Innovation
Lexmark’s use case within the DiCiM (Digitalised Value Management for Circular Manufacturing Systems) project was recognized as the most advanced technology concept during the 4th General Assembly meeting held in Cork, Ireland, in May 2025. This recognition highlights the significant progress and innovation achieved by Lexmark in close collaboration with the University of Ljubljana, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (ULFS), and Signifikant. It also reinforces Lexmark’s broader leadership in sustainability, as we are uniquely positioned as the only printer manufacturer participating in EU-funded circular economy projects.
As a result, Lexmark was invited to represent the DiCiM consortium alongside ULFS at an online clustering event coordinated by SYXIS on June 12th, 2025. During this session, Lexmark presented its advancements alongside other EU-funded projects, including AUTO-TWIN, DaCapo, and RESTORE.
The DiCiM project, which began in 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in 2026, focuses on developing an AI-supported circular economy model for Lexmark printing devices. This model marks a significant evolution from the company’s previous manual circular approach, which processed over 16,000 returned devices in 2022. The new system integrates IoT and artificial intelligence — with a strong focus on machine learning — to enable remote condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized reverse logistics.
A central element of this transformation is the Open Access Digital Platform (OADP), which collects and analyzes device data to support decisions on repair, reuse, and remanufacturing.To support this, status data extracted from Lexmark’s integrated systems for MS823dn printers was forwarded to the ULFS team, who use data markers to program AI/ML algorithms that assist in End-of-Life (EOL) decision-making. By 2026, the AI-driven model is projected to handle 3,000 returned devices with an estimated 80% reduction in carbon footprint.
Written by: Siphesihle Nene
WW Sustainability Specialist