Search Results (82)

The world is facing unprecedented sustainability challenges, and the circular economy (CE) can provide some solutions to promote more sustainable practices among companies. This study aimed at exploring, discovering, analyzing and synthetizing approaches related to the 10R principles, the CE principles and CE business models in the shipping sector in Finland. The research approach was based on qualitative research that aimed at identifying approaches related to the selected three main elements: (1) the 10R principles; (2) the CE principles; and (3) CE business models. The findings of this study suggest that most approaches that were identified were related to the following 10R principles: (1) replacement of products or making of products redundant (R0); (2) rethinking of products (R1); and (3) reduction in the use of resources in the manufacturing and use of products (R2). Only a few approaches could be identified that were related to the reuse of products (R3), the recycling of materials (R8) and recovery of materials (R9). There were typically no or only a few approaches identified that were related to the repair of products (R4), refurbishment of products (R5), remanufacturing of products (R6) and repurposing of products and their parts (R7). For many companies, there were no identified approaches related to the R3–R7 principles. Regarding the CE principles, the findings of this study suggest that quite a number of approaches were identified that were related to the circulation of products and materials and that many approaches were identified that were related to the elimination of waste and pollution. Typically only a few approaches were identified for the regeneration of nature. Regarding the CE business models, the findings suggest that quite a number of approaches were identified that were related to the circular supply models, supply chains and inputs, and there were many approaches for resource recovery. Only a few approaches were identified that were related to product use/life extension, sharing and sharing platforms, and product-as-a-service and product-service systems. Full article

This study investigates a two-stage production–inventory model with subsidy policies for paper cup recycling. The model includes remanufacturers, recyclers, and consumers, taking into account their preferences for different recycling channels. The negative binomial distribution of investment fund w is introduced and briefly studied. The influence of various subsidy strategies on the optimal pricing, profit, and recycling volume of the reverse supply chain is discussed. Numerical simulations show that increased consumer recycling preferences positively impact the recycling volume and profit. When subsidies are limited, subsidizing remanufacturers leads to higher recycling volumes, while subsidizing consumers results in higher profits at lower-to-middle subsidy levels. The findings suggest that policymakers can leverage different subsidy strategies to effectively manage the paper cup recycling supply chain and promote sustainability by incentivizing key stakeholders to participate in the recycling process. For example, subsidizing remanufacturers can increase the overall recycling volume by making it more financially viable for them to collect and process used cups, while subsidizing consumers can boost their participation and willingness to properly dispose of cups for recycling, leading to higher profits for the reverse supply chain. Full article

Background: The global climate crisis has intensified the demand for sustainable solutions, positioning Reverse Logistics (RL) as a critical strategy for minimizing environmental impacts. Simultaneously, Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming RL operations by enhancing their collection, transportation, storage, sorting, remanufacturing, recycling, and disposal processes. Understanding the roles of these technologies is essential for improving efficiency and sustainability. Methods: This study employs a systematic literature review, following the PRISMA methodology, to identify key Industry 4.0 technologies applicable to RL. Publications from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed, leading to the development of a theoretical framework linking these technologies to RL activities. Results: The findings highlight the fact that technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain enhance RL by improving traceability, automation, and sustainability. Their application optimizes execution time, reduces operational costs, and mitigates environmental impacts. Conclusions: For the transportation and manufacturing sectors, integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into RL can streamline supply chains, enhance decision-making, and improve resource utilization. Smart tracking, predictive maintenance, and automated sorting systems reduce waste and improve operational resilience, reinforcing the transition toward a circular economy. By adopting these innovations, stakeholders can achieve economic and environmental benefits while ensuring regulatory compliance and long-term competitiveness. Full article

In this study, we investigated a closed-loop supply chain system comprising manufacturers and retailers engaged in recycling competition. The manufacturer is the CLSC Stackelberg leader. By developing a Stackelberg model incorporating marketing, we analyzed the impact of marketing efforts by different agents on the entire system, specifically focusing on marketing conducted by the manufacturer, the retailer, and the centralized supply chain. Our findings reveal that the manufacturer consistently prefers the retailer to undertake marketing efforts. In contrast, the retailer favors the manufacturer to handle marketing when recycling competition intensity is low but prefers to conduct marketing themselves when the competition intensity is high. The extent of environmental harm under different models depends on the base demand: no marketing results in the least harm when the base demand is low, marketing by manufacturers minimizes harm when the base demand is moderate, and marketing by retailers causes the least harm when the base demand is high. Then, we performed a numerical analysis of the marketing cost-sharing contract and found that an appropriate sharing ratio consistently enhances the profitability of the entire supply chain. Finally, we examined the impact of a government subsidy for remanufacturing on supply chain performance and found that when recycling competition intensity is moderate, a government subsidy enhances supply chain performance more effectively. Full article

Globally, recycled building materials have attracted much attention, but the ambiguity of the use of recycled building materials makes it difficult for the building material remanufacturer (BMR) to compete with the building material manufacturer (BMM). Brand building is an important strategic tool for enterprises to increase product competitiveness. From the new perspective of the supply chain, this paper aims to examine the decision-making behavior of enterprises under two scenarios of consumer ambiguity neutrality and ambiguity tolerance and to analyze the impact of ambiguity tolerance on the pricing decisions of building materials supply chains in a brand-building scenario. This paper constructs a building material supply chain game model consisting of the BMM and BMR, according to the cognitive–affective personality system (CAPS) theory and through the Stackelberg game. The main findings are as follows. (1) Strengthening brand building can mitigate the negative impact of ambiguity tolerance on new product pricing. The selling price of recycled building materials is positively related to ambiguity tolerance. (2) When the BMM has higher brand value, there is a U-shaped trend between profit and ambiguity tolerance at a cost coefficient above the threshold value of 0.61. (3) When the BMR has higher brand value, profit is negatively related to ambiguity tolerance at operational inefficiencies and cost coefficients below the threshold value of 0.45. Otherwise, profits and ambiguity tolerance follow a U-shaped trend. This paper not only expands the research on brand building and ambiguity tolerance but also provides theoretical guidance for enterprises to make effective decisions in response to consumers’ ambiguity psychology. Full article

In order to protect the environment, an increasing number of people are paying attention to the recycling and remanufacturing of EOL (End-of-Life) products. Furthermore, many companies aim to establish their own closed-loop supply chains, encouraging the integration of disassembly and assembly lines into a unified closed-loop production system. In this work, a hybrid production line that combines disassembly and assembly processes, incorporating human–machine collaboration, is designed based on the traditional disassembly line. A mathematical model is proposed to address the human–machine collaboration disassembly and assembly hybrid line balancing problem in this layout. To solve the model, an evolutionary learning-based whale optimization algorithm is developed. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is significantly faster than CPLEX, particularly for large-scale disassembly instances. Moreover, it outperforms CPLEX and other swarm intelligence algorithms in solving large-scale optimization problems while maintaining high solution quality. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries are major drivers to decarbonize road traffic and electric power systems. With the rising number of electric vehicles comes an increasing number of lithium-ion batteries reaching their end of use. After their usage, several strategies, e.g., reuse, repurposing, remanufacturing, or material recycling can be applied. In this context, remanufacturing is the favored end-of-use strategy to enable a new use cycle of lithium-ion batteries and their components. The process of remanufacturing itself is the restoration of a used product to at least its original performance by disassembling, cleaning, sorting, reconditioning, and reassembling. Thereby, disassembly as the first step is a decisive process step, as it creates the foundation for all further steps in the process chain and significantly determines the economic feasibility of the remanufacturing process. The aim of the disassembly depth is the replacement of individual cells to replace the smallest possible deficient unit and not, as is currently the case, the entire battery module or even the entire battery system. Consequently, disassembly sequences are derived from a priority matrix, a disassembly graph is generated, and the obstacles to non-destructive cell replacement are analyzed for two lithium-ion traction battery systems, to analyze the distinctions between battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) battery systems and identify the necessary tools and fundamental procedures required for the effective management of battery systems within the circular economy. Full article

In view of the uncertainty regarding consumers’ perceived value of remanufactured products, a remanufacturing supply chain system with the manufacturer as the Stackelberg leader is constructed, in which the manufacturer faces three modes, namely the manufacturer recycling mode (M), the retailer recycling mode (R), and the entrusted third-party recycling mode (3P). The remanufacturing supply chain is analyzed using the game theory approach in these three recycling modes. Using game theory to analyze the optimal pricing and profits of each supply chain participant, we also discuss the impact of consumers’ perceived value uncertainty on the profits of each party under the different recycling modes, and we then explore the selection of recycling channels in the remanufacturing supply chain. The results show that when the perceived value uncertainty is at a medium or low level, retailers are responsible for recycling used products and producing remanufactured products, which brings higher profits to the supply chain system; when the perceived value uncertainty is high, the demand for remanufactured products in the market decreases, and the recycling revenue of remanufactured products is lower. Finally, the validity of the theoretical model is verified by a numerical simulation. Full article

The quality control of remanufactured products in a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) can significantly influence consumers’ decision-making, and the contract coordination of CLSC has also become a research hotspot. This paper explores the quality control problem in a three-level remanufacturing CLSC consisting of a remanufacturer, a retailer, and a recycler by constructing a system dynamics (SD) model, which contains two contract schemes: quality control contract and quality control–revenue-sharing contract. Subsequently, the proposed SD model is analyzed using various schemes. The findings suggest that without mandatory contracts, CLSC members are frequently unable to fulfill their quality improvement commitments. Among them, recyclers are less likely to improve quality and more prone to breaking promises. The quality control problem in CLSC can be addressed through contract coordination, and the quality control contract scheme can avoid non-compliance with quality improvement commitments. The application of the quality control–revenue-sharing combination contract scheme not only resolves the quality control issue but also promotes profit improvement in the CLSC. Full article

How to efficiently and greenly dismantle abandoned buildings and reuse them is a dilemma facing the building material industry’s low-carbon objective. However, relevant studies ignore the influence mechanism of altruistic preferences of enterprises on green dismantling technology in supply chains. Driven by filling this theoretical gap, this paper firstly integrates reciprocal altruism theory and the Stackalberg game method and constructs a construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling supply chain system consisting of a recycler and a remanufacturer, in which enterprises’ altruistic preferences are considered. The main theoretical outcomes of this paper are as follows. (1) In the case of unilateral altruism, enterprises’ altruistic preference behaviors help in increasing the green dismantling technological level and the amount of CDW recycling. Under the mutual altruism model, the influence of the recycler’s altruistic preference degree on the amount of CDW recycled hinges on the remanufacturer’s altruistic preference degree. (2) The utility of the enterprises and the green dismantling technological level are optimized under the mutual altruism model. (3) In a system of unequal power, unilateral “goodwill” by the follower will have a negative effect on their own interests; the leader plays a crucial role in facilitating equal cooperation and realizing win–win situations. This paper enriches the reciprocal altruism theory in waste management. It also helps in providing guidance for the recycler and remanufacturer in making operational decisions. Full article

The shipping industry is the cornerstone that facilitates the movement of approximately 90% of international commercial goods. However, environmental challenges, particularly in the ship recycling (SR) industry, have become increasingly evident. Via closed-loop production patterns within an economic system, a circular economy aims to improve resource-use efficiency by focusing on urban and industrial waste to achieve better balance and harmony between the economy, environment, and society. A key element in this process is a well-executed disassembly that enables reuse, remanufacturing, high-value recycling, and implementing other circular strategies. Based on a systematic literature review, this paper delineates the SR process, identifies influential scholarly works on recycling end-of-life ships, discusses factors affecting shipowners’ decision to recycle, and opportunities for sustainability and circularity in SR processes. The results confirm the increasing need for green SR to reduce shipbreaking waste. Also discussed is how greening SR could be integrated into sustainable development goals under proper environmental and safety regulations and an aligned cultural mindset for stakeholders. Full article

This study investigates the feasibility of remanufacturing shoemaking machines for sustainability using a combined AHP and DEMATEL approach. The AHP prioritizes machine types for remanufacturing, while the DEMATEL analyzes the interdependencies of influencing factors. Results indicate sole-making equipment as the most suitable candidate, followed by surface and forming equipment. Furthermore, appropriate product design, modularity, and a complete recycling system emerge as crucial for successful strategies. The DEMATEL confirms the foundational role of these factors in influencing a positive corporate image and business model. This study offers valuable insights and recommendations for Taiwan-based shoemaking machine OEMs in India to formulate strategies that promote remanufacturing. The findings highlight the critical role of OEMs in raising customer awareness regarding the environmental and economic benefits of returning end-of-life products and utilizing remanufactured machinery. Effective strategies should emphasize the importance of design for remanufacturing principles, modular machine architectures, and the establishment of comprehensive recycling systems. By fostering customer engagement through such initiatives, OEMs can create a collaborative ecosystem that facilitates the successful implementation of remanufacturing practices within the Indian market. Overall, the study presents a compelling case for remanufacturing as a strategic approach for OEMs to promote a circular economy, resource efficiency, and a sustainable future for footwear production. Full article

Power Electronics Converters (PEC) play a crucial role in the operation of many modern electrical systems and devices. Despite their widespread use, the lack of an efficient and cost-effective disassembly process can limit their repairability, refurbishability, remanufacturability and, ultimately, recyclability, thus hindering the circularity of products. In order to improve their circularity, it is important to assess their ease of disassembly. Therefore, this paper investigates the applicability of the “ease of Disassembly Metric” (eDiM), which is referenced in the material efficiency standards, Benelux repairability assessment method, and Repair Scoring System (RSS), to analyze the ease of disassembly of energy-related products. After identifying the limitations of the eDiM method, we refined and adapted it to make it more suitable for Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-based PEC, and thus propose a PCB-based disassemblability assessment method allowing the implementation of quantifiable requirements supporting their circularity. This standardized approach, at the PCB level, can improve the circularity of such products by facilitating design enhancements. With this approach, policymakers and designers can contribute more effectively to the transition to a circular economy in PCB electronics, particularly in the field of power electronics. Full article

Under the increasing environmental pressure, remanufacturing has increasingly become a new mode of recycling economy and upgrading and transforming the equipment manufacturing industry. Some enterprises include remanufacturing businesses in the original production system by holding or controlling shares in other remanufacturing enterprises. This paper builds a two-echelon supply chain model composed of a supplier, a manufacturer, and a remanufacturer, considering the different ownership structures (i.e., shareholding and share-controlling) between them, in which the supplier sells non-remanufacturable parts to the manufacturer and the remanufacturer. At the same time, the optimal decisions of each firm are considered. The results show that for the manufacturer, a higher shareholding ratio means that it can obtain more profits. For the supplier, the impact of the shareholding ratio depends on the manufacturing cost. When the manufacturing cost is relatively low, the stock sharing relationship between the manufacturer and the remanufacturer will decrease the supplier’s profit. When the manufacturing cost is relatively high, it will depend on the shareholding ratio. In the case of shareholding between the manufacturer and the remanufacturer, a higher shareholding ratio will decrease the supplier’s profit. From the perspective of the supply chain, when the production cost is high enough, the supply chain’s profit decreases first and then increases with the shareholding ratio. Furthermore, the increase in the manufacturer’s shareholding in remanufacturing does not always improve the remanufacturing proportion of products. Full article

Efficient processing of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles is an important and pressing challenge in a circular economy. Regardless of whether the processing strategy is recycling, repurposing, or remanufacturing, the first processing step will usually involve disassembly. As battery disassembly is a dangerous task, efforts have been made to robotise it. In this paper, a robotic disassembly platform using four industrial robots is proposed to automate the non-destructive disassembly of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery pack into modules. This work was conducted as a case study to demonstrate the concept of the autonomous disassembly of an electric vehicle battery pack. A two-step object localisation method based on visual information is used to overcome positional uncertainties from different sources and is validated by experiments. Also, the unscrewing system is highlighted, and its functions, such as handling untightened fasteners, loosening jammed screws, and changing the nutrunner adapters with square drives, are detailed. Furthermore, the time required for each operation is compared with that taken by human operators. Finally, the limitations of the platform are reported, and future research directions are suggested. Full article