This paper describes some explorations on the concept of disassemblability as an important circularity indicator for products because of its severe impact on reuse value. Although usefulness of the concept for determining disassembly strategies and for improving circular product design clearly shows in earlier studies, the link with Industry 4.0 (I4.0)-related process innovation is still underexposed. For further technical development of the field of remanufacturing, research is needed on tools & training for operators, diagnostics, disassembly/repair instructions and forms of operator support. This includes the use of IoT and cobots in remanufacturing lines for automatic disassembly, sorting and recognition methods; providing guidance for operators and reduction of change-over times. A prototype for a disassembly work cell for a mobile phone has been developed together with researchers and students. This includes the removal of screws by means of a cobot using both vision & the available info in the product’s Bill-Of-Materials, the removal of covers, opening of snap fits and replacement of modules. This prototyping demonstrates that it is relatively easy to automate disassembly operations for an undamaged product, that has been designed with repairability in mind and for which product data and models are available. Process innovations like robotisation influence the disassemblability in a positive way, but current indicators like a Disassembly Index (DI) can’t reflect this properly. This study therefore concludes with suggestions for an evaluation of disassemblability by looking at the interaction between product, process and resources in a coherent way.
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This chapter explains in brief what is needed to achieve more sustainable manufacturing processes. It develops both aspects of sustainable, economic, and technical feasibility with most focus on the latter. Remanufacturing processes are described together with relevant factors that enhance their effectivity and efficiency. An overview is given of what kind of shopfloor innovations are required in the near future and some suggestions on how digital and other Industry 4.0 technologies could help to move toward circular manufacturing.
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Remanufacturing is a production practice that requires the work of producers, consumers, and the government. There are benefits associated with this production model, such as improving the environment, opportunities for cost savings, and others. However, it is essential to identify the factors that affect the possibility of acceptance of this production model. This research proposes a model based on different analysis methodologies and techniques of SEM (Structural Equations Modeling) and the method of PLS (Partial Least Squares). A total of 403 responses to the survey were collected from 1 November 2021 to 15 January 2022. For the data treatment, SPSS, Excel, and WarpPLS software were used to identify the variables, factors, and their direct and indirect effects among the latent variables, referring to a scheme focused on consumer perception based on the acquisition remanufactured products. This created model served as a reference to create and develop a design and repair strategy for White goods or similar products in handling, logistics, and repair. This design strategy was transformed into a business model based on a circular economy, particularly on a Product–Service System with social, economic, and environmental benefits for producers and consumers.
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This research focused on implement analysis to diagnose the viability to propose a design and repair strategy based on Product-Service System (PSS) and remanufacturing to preserve the value in white goods, more specifically laundry machines. The aim is to generate an alternative to the linear economy to redirect consumers to the circular economy, positively affecting the environment, the economy, and society, leading to responsible consumption. To achieve this, it is necessary to identify consumer behavior and the factors that intervene to buy remanufactured products. Also, find a timely methodology for the development of the PSS, analyze the ability to conserve added value, propose the strategy and verify its feasibility. The reach of this paper is establishing customer perception in the acceptance of remanufactured products in a circular economy model for white goods.
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Relatief kleine, gespecialiseerde bedrijven in de maakindustrie hebben behoefte aan flexibele assemblageprocessen en productielogistiek. Digitalisering biedt veel mogelijkheden om productieprocessen efficiënter en duurzamer te maken, innovatieve producten te fabriceren en over te schakelen op andere businessmodellen. Dit moet dan wel werken voor kleine series en enkelstuks. ‘Kunnen wij het maken?’ verwijst naar onderliggende vragen over: ‘Hoe beheersen we risico’s in complexe maakprocessen?’, ‘Hoe werken we samen in de keten?’ en ‘Wat moeten huidige en toekomstige engineers weten over ‘Industry 4.0’ en circulaire maakindustrie?’. Bijgaand essay, in verkorte vorm uitgesproken als Intreerede, legt uit hoe de onderzoekers van Smart Sustainable Manufacturing aan de slag gaan om een antwoord te vinden op deze vragen, door middel van cocreatie met de beroepspraktijk en het onderwijs in het Re/manufacturing lab.
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In our in-depth case study on two circular business models we found important roles for material scouts and networks. These key partners are essential for establishing circular business models and circular flow of materials. Besides, we diagnose that companies are having difficulties to develop viable value propositions and circular strategies. The paper was presented at NBM Nijmegen 2020 and will be published at a later date
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Technische Bedrijfskunde student Noud Pouwels heeft zijn afstudeeronderzoek uitgevoerd bij copier-multinational Xerox uit Venray. Hij heeft zich bezig gehouden met de internationale retourstromen van copiers aan het einde van hun levenscyclus of leasetermijn. Na veel onderzoek heeft hij een beslissingsboom ontwikkeld om te bepalen wat de beste verwerkingsmogelijkheden zijn: herontwikkeling, hergebruik of ontmanteling. Deze strategie levert Xerox veel geld op.
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Some researchers insist that sustainability should be represented as a continuous quest, doubting that there is the ‘right’ way to be sustainable. Acknowledging the immensity of sustainability challenges, this article takes a different perspective, arguing that without understanding of concrete barriers and seeking solutions, the challenge of addressing unsustainable practices becomes unsurmountable. This article will summarize research in sustainability literature that indicates that sustainability requires a constant human population, as well as ecologically benign method of production. This article will survey a number of helpful frameworks that address the key obstacles to sustainability, namely population growth, and unsustainable production and consumption. These frameworks are discussed in the context of business-level solutions and production systems. As illustrated by examples of best practices as well as potential pitfalls associated with each system, these systems have the potential to move the quest for sustainability beyond ‘business as usual.’ https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-015-9723-1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkopnina/
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Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is the most important waste stream in the EU in terms of mass, with around 340 million tonnes between 2010 and 2018 (EEA, 2020). Most member states achieved a recovery target of 70% for this fraction, however, it is mainly based on backfilling or downcycling. Materials coming from demolition and renovation work are not often available for reuse or recycling activities, with some noticeable exceptions in the case of some pioneering Urban Resource Centres (URCs). URCs are physical centres that promote the circular economy at local level (Partnership on Circular Economy, 2019) prioritizing reuse, preparation for reuse, upcycling and remanufacturing activities over material recycling. This is an emerging concept throughout Europe, that has received much policy attention given its potential to help achieve Circular Economy goals set by the European Commission. So far there have been no systematic analyses of URCs, their operation and their impact. The goal of our paper is twofold: 1) to understand how frontrunning URCs currently operate and 2) to derive conclusions/policy recommendations/design principles for URCs. This article presents a comparison of seven URCs that to some extent allow the reuse of CDW in their locations. The data has been gathered in guided study visits to the different locations, complemented by additional information provided by the managers of the URCs through their yearly reports and follow up conversations. The research took place as part of the project Centers for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture (Cure+), which aims to establish URC pilots in the four project cities (Riga, Tartu, Kavala and Barcelona).
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This chapter will introduce the circular economy (CE) and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) models of sustainable production. It will reflect on the key blockages to a meaningful sustainable production and how these could be overcome, particularly in the context of business education. The case study of the course for bachelor’s students within International Business Management Studies (IBMS), and at University College in The Netherlands will be discussed. These case studies will illustrate the opportunities as well as potential pitfalls of the closed loop production models. The results of case studies’ analysis show that there was a mismatch between expectations of the sponsor companies and those of students on the one hand and a mismatch between theory and practice on the other hand. Helpful directions for future research and teaching practice are outlined. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319713113#aboutBook https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkopnina/
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