Automated return machines for reusable packaging – offered as Hardware as a Service from Hamburg.
CircleCube GmbH
HamburgNew on Amplifa
About CircleCube
CircleCube is a Greentech company founded in Hamburg in 2023 that develops and manufactures automated return machines for reusable packaging. The portfolio comprises the ReturnCube for indoor use and the CityCube as a weatherproof outdoor solution; the machine recognizes containers via AI image recognition, QR code, RFID, color, contour or logo – from espresso cups to pizza boxes. The outer shell of the machines is made of stainless steel or powder-coated steel (ReturnCube) and aluminum (CityCube) respectively, while the interior is made of stainless steel. The machines are exclusively rented out as Hardware as a Service: long-term rental including maintenance, software updates, in-house repair and redeployment of the devices. They connect via 4G/LTE, WLAN, LAN and API with reusable packaging systems such as RECUP, Relevo, Vytal or WECARRY and pay out deposits flexibly via cash, app credit, voucher, bank transfer or MDB interface. Fields of application include canteens, universities, hospitals, stadiums, cinemas, retail, travel hubs and cities; over 350 customers use the systems in more than twelve countries.
- Site
- Hamburg
- Processes
- Automated reusable packaging return machines (ReturnCube indoor, CityCube outdoor), Hardware as a Service (long-term rental, maintenance, software updates, exchange/repair), AI image recognition, QR code, RFID recognition, Flexible deposit options (cash, app credit, voucher, bank transfer, MDB interface), Integration interfaces/API to reusable packaging systems, In-house repair and redeployment of the devices
- Materials
- Stainless steel, Powder-coated steel, Aluminum, Hardware as a Service
- Certificates
- ISO 9001
- Founded
- 2023
- 01
Development and engineering
- 02
Series production of the machines
- 03
Software updates and maintenance
- 04
In-house repair and redeployment of the devices
Materials and Processes
Stainless steel
Interior lining and optional outer shell of the ReturnCube for hygienic cleaning in daily operation.
Powder-coated steel
Alternative outer shell of the ReturnCube for indoor use.
Aluminum
Weatherproof outer shell of the CityCube for year-round outdoor operation.
Hardware as a Service
Rental model with long-term lease, including maintenance, software updates and exchange service.
Site
Hamburg
DEHead office
- Materials
- Stainless steel, powder-coated steel, aluminum
- ReturnCube (indoor return machine, 147 × 70 × 53 cm, 80 kg, 270–1,000 L)
- CityCube (outdoor return machine, 171 × 73 × 53 cm, 150 kg, 270–1,000 L)
Components
Inside the production
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return machine (indoor) | CircleCube ReturnCube | – | 147 × 70 × 53 cm (H×W×D); storage volume 270–1,000 L | – | Hamburg |
| Return machine (outdoor) | CircleCube CityCube | – | 171 × 73 × 53 cm (H×W×D); storage volume 270–1,000 L | – | Hamburg |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
The machines are designed for hygienic continuous operation: the interior is made entirely of stainless steel, and every return transaction is automatically verified and booked in the connected reusable packaging system; failed devices are exchanged, repaired internally and put back into circulation.
| Evidence | Hamburg |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 |
History
- 2023
After the audience award at the University of Göttingen's Lift-off competition, CircleCube was founded in July in Hamburg; first prototypes at the end of the year.
- 2024
Start of the first series production of the machines in September; building of partnerships, improvement of design and usability.
- 2025
Systems in use in ten European countries; first pilot projects in the USA; today 350+ customers in 12+ countries.
- 2026
Pilot project Mainz wine market 2026 with eight return machines together with mainzplus, Rent.Group and koziol.