Bilmo is one of the winning companies of the first "BELGIUM BUILDS BACK CIRCULAR" (BBBC) call for projects dedicated to the circular economy. Its Cycloop project is a concrete example of how local and circular solutions can help reduce the ecological footprint of urban transport. By bringing together several complementary companies, the project is developing urban delivery vehicles – Cargo Scooters – designed according to eco-design principles and giving a second life to existing materials and components.
Responding to the climate challenges of urban logistics
These electric vehicles are made from upcycled batteries and electronic components and form part of an effort to reduce CO₂ emissions. This approach directly addresses the environmental challenges posed by urban logistics, which is responsible for 33% of emissions, 9% of which are linked to vans.
Since 2019, Bilmo has specialised in the design and manufacture of bicycle trailers for professionals in urban areas. Thanks to financial support from BBBC, the company is now expanding its business with the development of an eco-designed cargo scooter, powered by circular batteries and specifically designed for last-mile deliveries.
With BBBC funds, supported by the European recovery plan NextGenerationEU, the FPS Public Health backs the circular transition and projects aimed at making the battery life cycle more sustainable and safer.
An initiative based on collaboration and innovation
The Cycloop project is the result of collaboration between several companies: Bilmo, Daurema, Swarn, Sortbat and Bebat. Together, they cover a wide range of sectors, from urban delivery vehicles to electric bicycle batteries, reusable electronic components and the reuse of used batteries. This sectoral synergy enables the implementation of a complete circular chain, in which each partner contributes expertise to limit the extraction of new resources and extend the life of components that are still functional.
Giving batteries a second life for more sustainable urban transport
Bilmo aims to reduce the environmental impact of transport by replacing combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles. Their initiative is based on cargo scooters powered by circular batteries. These batteries come from old bicycle batteries collected by Bebat and sorted by Sortbat. Designed to be easily maintained and repaired, they extend the lifespan of electric-assisted vehicles (EAVs).
Swarn integrates reprogrammed electronic boards from smartphones to monitor battery condition and anticipate maintenance needs. This innovative system reduces electronic waste and limits the extraction of new resources.
Jean-Baptiste Goetgheluck, co-founder of Bilmo, explains: “The raw materials needed for batteries (cobalt, nickel, lithium, aluminium, copper, graphite, etc.) pose social and environmental problems on a global scale. By reusing batteries, we reduce Europe’s dependence on Asian manufacturers and avoid unnecessary energy waste from recycling components that are still functional. In fact, 50% of batteries sent for recycling are reusable, representing a significant economic and ecological opportunity.”
Transforming the prototype into production : the next step
Currently in the testing phase, Cycloop is seeking its first pilot customers to evaluate its cargo scooter and electronic components. This feedback will help improve and finalise the product. The main challenge for Cycloop will be moving from this demonstration phase to industrial production. This development will require ensuring the economic viability of the model while managing the additional costs associated with large-scale circular manufacturing.
In the long term, the project aims to deploy a distribution network in major European cities, supported by a growing demand for this type of vehicle, particularly with the rise of online commerce.
