AbstractGordon Battelle made his fortune by recovering the tin in mining waste with a new process he developed. This is the type of innovation which is needed for the productlife optimization of goods and raw materials.Technology could provide mobile units for the repair and reconditioning of static systems and workshops for those that are movable.Most of the activities in the area of product-life optimization are sull in the nature of a craft and there are few links between those working in the field. These activities should become of fundamental importance and be treated equally with manufacturing activities.