121 - Trane Technologies: Circularity Strategy, Remanufacturing, KPIs & Supply Chain Transparency

The InNOLEvation® Mindset Host Mark McNees interviews Trane Technologies circularity and sustainability leader Jenelle Shapiro, joined by former Danfoss Turbocor CEO Ricardo Schneider and circularity instructor at Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Shapiro shares her career path from architecture to sustainability consulting, construction, Meta data centers, and leading circularity at Trane Technologies. She explains circularity as extending product life through reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, and outlines Trane’s global business segments (commercial, residential, and Thermo King transport refrigeration). The conversation covers why circularity matters, Trane’s 2030 goals to double circular materials (vs. 2019) and generate 10% revenue from circular products/services, service programs that extend chiller life, refrigerant recovery and reclaimed refrigerant use, rental fleet refurbishment, and the importance of partner collaboration and verifiable scope 3 data. They discuss challenges in recycling infrastructure and material selection, excitement about compressor remanufacturing, designing for remanufacturing via tools and scoring, incentives tied to sustainability KPIs, optimism amid industry headwinds, EPR trends, entrepreneurial opportunities in disassembly and material marketplaces, and skills students need—data literacy and communication. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:29 Jenelle Career Journey 03:02 What Circularity Means 04:31 Trane Technologies Overview 06:06 Why Sustainability Matters 08:03 2030 Circularity KPIs 10:46 Service and Rentals Model 13:57 Collaboration and Partners 15:58 Supplier Data and Emissions 19:16 Science Targets and Gigaton 22:30 Hardest Circularity Challenges 25:00 Remanufacturing Explained 27:00 Scaling Reman Programs 27:48 Design for Remanufacturing 29:47 DFSC Circular Design Tool 31:53 Cost Myth and Value 33:33 Next Gen Sustainability Shift 36:36 Data and Carbon Literacy 39:23 Incentives and KPIs 43:15 Business Outlook and Momentum 44:42 Startup Opportunities Ahead 46:54 EPR and End of Life 48:49 Advice for Students 50:01 Career Lessons and Wrap