1,720,974 research outputs found
Influence of power regimes on identification and mitigation of material criticality: The case of platinum group metals in the automotive sector
Full text linkThe business perspective on materials criticality: evidence from manufacturers
Full text linkThe European Commission identified a group of materials that were claimed to be critical due to their high economic importance and high supply constraints, which could become bottlenecks for the deployment of emerging technologies and enabling sustainable production. Currently this discourse takes place at the industrial system level from a policyperspective, and it is unclear if what is perceived by policy circles as critical could be true for manufacturing operations. This paper explores how five EU manufacturing companies in different sectors and supply chains see materials criticality, and their strategies to mitigate such criticality. On the one hand, the results indicate the limited scope of the criticalityfactors and employed mitigation strategies considered, compared to those established in the literature. On the other hand, the findings point to the existence of interdependences between companies within and between supply chains, which should be incorporated into the materials criticality assessment, if viable implications for the industrial systems are to be developed. The paper concludes by discussing the implications for manufacturing companies and policy-makers, and suggests prospects for further research.</p
Strategic closed-loop supply chain configuration in the transition towards the circular economy of EV batteries: an evolutionary analytical framework
Full text linkPurpose: This study advocates the importance of taking an evolutionary perspective in the strategic configuration of closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) in the transition to a circular economy. Building on the supply chain management and industrial dynamics research domains, an evolutionary analytical framework was developed and applied in the empirical context of the ongoing industrial transition to e-mobility. Design/methodology/approach: This study is designed as an in-depth exploratory case study to capture the multi-layer dynamic complexities and their interplay in CSLC development. The empirical investigation was based on two-year interactions between the authors and various departments in a leading European heavy vehicle manufacturer. The proposed evolutionary analytical framework was used for investigating the dynamics of four CLSC configurations through ten possible trajectories. Findings: The findings demonstrate that the evolution of each CLSC configuration comes with multiple challenges and requirements and point out the necessity for the co-development of technologies, product design and production, and infrastructure through long-term relationships among key supply chain actors. However, this evolutionary journey is associated with multiple dilemmas caused by uncertainties in the market and technology developments. All these factors were properly captured and critically analyzed, along with their interactions, thanks to the constructs included in the proposed evolutionary analytical framework. Research limitations/implications: The proposed evolutionary framework is applicable for examination of SC transformation in the context of market and technology development, and is particularly relevant for transitioning from linear SC to CLSC. The framework offers a single actor perspective, as it does not directly tackle dynamics and effects of actions taken by SC actors. Practical implications: The developed framework can support SC managers in identifying, framing, and comparing alternative strategies for CLSC configuration in the transition process. Originality/value: This study proposes the framework for understanding and guiding the evolutionary process of CLSC development. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of concepts from innovation and evolutionary theories coming from industrial dynamics and SCM literature streams
Impact of emerging sustainable aircraft technologies on the existing operating ecosystem
Full text linkEmerging sustainable aircraft technologies-such as sustainable aviation fuel, electric and hydrogen propulsion-are expected to play a major role in the decarbonization of the aviation sector. Nevertheless, at present, the exact impact that their deployment will have on the existing operating ecosystem is not yet clear. To shed some light on this area, this paper adopts an exploratory research approach based on the collection of impact assessments through semi-structured interviews with domain experts. In particular, we involve 22 individuals affiliated with the most important stakeholders in the European and American aviation industries, including airlines, airports, aircraft and engine manufacturers, fuel producers, government agencies, universities and research centers, and aviation industry experts. Our results, that are presented in the form of spider charts and tables, provide an exhaustive and comprehensive picture of all the impacts that the examined technologies are expected to have on airline operations, airport operations, and airside airport infrastructure. What emerges is that SAF, even if used in high percentages, is anticipated to have a fairly marginal effect. In contrast, electric and hydrogen aircraft propulsion are foreseen to be much more disruptive, having a similar medium-to-high impact on many operations and parts of the airport infrastructure. In light of this finding, we propose the development of multi-technology airport infrastructural assets as a solution not only for the possible onset of lock-in effects but also for the chicken and egg dilemma currently affecting the sector
In pursuit of closed-loop supply chains for critical materials : an exploratory study in the Green Energy sector
Full text linkA closed‐loop supply chain (CLSC) is considered not only an important solution for ensuring sustainable exploitation of materials, but also a promising strategy for securing long‐term availability of materials. The latter is especially highlighted in the materials criticality discourse. Critical raw materials (CRMs), being exposed to supply disruptions, create an uncertain operational environment for many industries, particularly for green energy technologies that employ multiple CRMs. However, recycling rates of CRMs are very low and engagement of companies in CLSC for CRM is limited. This study examines factors influencing CLSC for CRM development in photovoltaic panels and wind turbine technologies. The aim is to analyze how the factors manifest themselves in different companies along the supply chain and to identify enabling and bottleneck conditions for implementation of CLSC for CRM. The novelty of the study is twofold: the focus on material rather than product flows, and examination of factors from a multiactor perspective. The evidence obtained suggests that the manufacturing companies and reverse supply‐chain operators engaged in the study take different perspectives (product vs. material) regarding development of CLSC for CRM and thus emphasize different factors. The findings underline the need for interactions between supply‐chain actors, a sound competitive environment for recycling processes, and investment in technologies and infrastructure development if CLSC for CRM is to be developed. The paper provides implications for practitioners and policy makers for implementation of CLSC for CRM, and suggests prospects for further research
Circular economy in the construction industry. Exploration of the role of circular economy for achieving carbon neutrality in the construction industry
Full text linkLAUREA MAGISTRALEIl cambiamento climatico è un problema che sta affliggendo l’intero mondo e una delle principali cause è l’aumento delle emissioni di anidride carbonica nell’atmosfera. Il settore edilizio è uno dei principali attori in questo processo, nel 2018 è stato responsabile del 38% delle emissioni totali di anidride carbonica. Le due principali fonti di emissioni nel ciclo vitale di un edificio sono la produzione dei materiali e la fase di abitazione. Primi passi per la riduzione delle emissioni associate a queste fasi sono stati fatti nella forma di Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs), edifici che hanno zero emissioni associate, e Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), edifici che non prendono energia dalla griglia energetica pubblica, ma la producono in loco e con fonti rinnovabili. Questa tesi esamina le soluzioni relative all’economia circolare applicate nel settore edilizio. Questo lavoro si divide in tre parti: nella prima viene fornita una visione di insieme delle principali definizioni di ZCBs e ZEBs e su quali elementi si focalizzano maggiormente; nella seconda parte sono descritte le principali soluzioni in linea con i principi dell’economia circolare studiate sia solamente a livello teorico sia a livello pratico in reali casi studio; nell’ultima parte sono elencate e discusse le barriere che possono rendere difficile l’implementazione di tali soluzioni e i fattori che invece possono rendere più semplice la loro realizzazione. I risultati mostrano che l’adozione di soluzioni che seguono i principi dell’economia circolare possono ridurre le emissioni di anidride carbonica associate alla costruzione di edifici.Climate change is a problem that grieves on the whole world and one of the main causes is the raise of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. Construction industry is of the sectors that contribute for the large part to such emissions. In 2018 it was accountable for the 38 percent of total carbon emissions. The two main sources of carbon emissions in the life cycle of a building are the manufacturing of materials and the operation and use. First attempts in the construction of Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs), building with zero carbon emissions associated, and Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), buildings that do not take energy from the grid and satisfy their own demand by producing energy from renewable sources, are happening. This Master of Science thesis examines the possible solutions that reflect the circular economy principles that may be applied to the construction industry in order to reduce the carbon emissions associated. This work is divided in three main parts: in the first one a general overview of ZCBs and ZEBs is provided. In the second part the main circular economy solutions, both at theoretical level and implemented in real case studies, are described. In the last part the main barriers that may hinder their implementation, and drivers that instead may make easier their realization are discussed. Results show that following the circular economy principles is possible to achieve carbon emissions reduction associated to buildings
Development of circular supply chain for ev rare earth permanent magnet electic motors: industrial perspectives and configurations for Lombardy region
Full text linkLAUREA MAGISTRALEL’elettrificazione dei veicoli rappresenta un cambiamento epocale nell’industria automotive, facendo sì che i tradizionali motori a combustione interna vengano sostituiti dai motori elettrici. Questi componenti montano nella maggior parte dei casi magneti permanenti fatti di terre rare, più nello specifico magneti composti da Neodimio e Disprosio. Classificati da molte nazioni a livello globale come critici, questi elementi hanno un'elevata importanza economica e sono soggetti ad un'alta probabilità di interruzione della fornitura. Recentemente l’economia circolare, grazie alle strategie di recupero che mette in pratica, è stata identificata come una delle principali soluzioni per mitigare i rischi derivanti dall’utilizzo di magneti permanenti fatti di terre rare all’interno dei motori elettrici nell’industria automobilistica. Per mettere in atto i principi dell’economia circolare, le aziende devono passare da modelli di business lineari a circolari, attraverso l’implementazione di strutture di fornitura riconosciute come Circular Supply Chains. La tesi, con lo scopo di favorire lo sviluppo di queste strutture nella regione Lombardia, si propone di identificare le barriere che ostacolano l’implementazione di Circular Supply Chains attraverso interviste effettuate con gli attori operanti nella filiera dei motori elettrici e dei magneti permanenti e valuta configurazioni possibili per il recupero dei prodotti sotto esame, evidenziando ruoli e responsabilità di ciascun attore coinvolto all’interno di queste strutture.The electrification of vehicles represents a revolutionary change in the automotive industry, with traditional internal combustion engines being replaced by electric motors. These components are mostly equipped with permanent magnets made of rare earths, more specifically magnets composed of Neodymium and Dysprosium. Classified by many nations globally as critical, these elements have a high economic importance and are subject to a high probability of supply disruption. Recently, the circular economy, thanks to the recovery strategies it implements, has been identified as one of the main solutions to mitigate the risks of using permanent magnets made of rare earths in electric motors in the automotive industry. To implement circular economy principles, companies have to move from linear to circular business models, through the implementation of supply chain structures recognised as Circular Supply Chains. With the aim of fostering the development of these structures in the Lombardy region, this thesis aims to identify the barriers that currently hinder the implementation of Circular Supply Chains through interviews conducted with actors operating in the electric motor and rare earth permanent magnet supply chain and evaluates possible configurations to recover the studied products, highlighting roles and responsibilities of each actor involved within these structures
Examination of prospects for urban-industrial symbiosis development in Lombardy centered around the construction and demolition chain
Full text linkLAUREA MAGISTRALENegli ultimi anni, le sfide ambientali a cui il mondo è sottoposto sono diventate sempre più rilevanti. Sia l’enorme quantità di rifiuti che viene giornalmente prodotta che l'aumento dell’utilizzo delle risorse avranno effetti devastanti sul pianeta se non affrontati immediatamente. L’economia circolare (CE) rappresenta un’opportunità per aziende private ed istituzioni per raggiungere obiettivi di carattere ambientale. La Simbiosi Urbana Industriale (UIS) è un'applicazione pratica dei principi della CE, che si basa sulla collaborazione tra diversi attori industriali e urbani al fine di massimizzare il valore dei flussi di materiali e rifiuti. L'obiettivo della tesi è valutare lo sviluppo della UIS nella filiera edilizia Lombarda. Per fare ciò, sono stati adottati due livelli di analisi: un livello Macro in cui, considerando i dati regionali, vengono calcolati i potenziali benefici economici e ambientali, e un livello Micro in cui attraverso un sistema di indagini e interviste, viene valutata la prospettiva degli attori selezionati e discussi i fattori che potrebbero avere un impatto sulle attività. I calcoli della prima mostrano che, i produttori di rifiuti potrebbero risparmiare fino a 1042 M €/anno (49%) e gli utilizzatori di rifiuti fino a 1094.M €/anno (51%), per un totale di 2150 M €/anno di risparmi economici. Si potrebbe inoltre arrivare ad abbattere fino a 4693 ktCO2e/anno. Su tali dati, si stima che il peso dei trasporti sia pari al 4,12% rispetto al risparmio economico e al 3,85% rispetto all’impatto ambientale. Successivamente, la microanalisi evidenzia che i driver e le barriere economiche e normative sono da considerarsi tra i più rilevanti in quanto comportano effetti evidenti sulle attività delle imprese. Inoltre, viene fornita un'analisi dei flussi degli attori appartenenti alla filiera edilizia, nonché l'impatto che un potenziale sistema di UIS potrebbe avere sugli scambi delle risorse tra imprese. I risultati mostrano che sia il settore del cemento che quello dell'acciaio sono già un esempio virtuoso in termini di riutilizzo dei rifiuti mentre quello edilizio potrebbe beneficiare di un maggiore riutilizzo dei materiali da costruzione.Environmental challenges have become one of the most important issue of the last decades. Both the huge amount of waste that is constantly produced and the increase in resource depletion rate will have devastating effects on the planet if not immediately addressed. Therefore, finding new innovative ways to deal with environmental problems is where most efforts from both companies and institutions are headed. A way in which both can achieve their environmental objectives is through the adoption of Circular Economy practises. In this context, Urban Industrial Symbiosis is a practical application of the CE model, that relies on the collaboration between different industrial and urban actors in order to maximize the value of material and waste flows. The objective of the thesis is to assess current UIS development patterns in Lombardy, particularly focusing on the C&D supply chain. To do so, two level of analysis have been adopted: A Macro level, where regional data is considered and both general economic and environmental benefits are calculated, and a Micro level where through a system of surveys and interviews, the perspective of selected actors is assessed and factors influencing their perspectives are discussed. The computations of the macro-analysis show that, by adopting UIS practices, waste producers could save up to 1042 M€/y (49%) and waste users up to 1094.M€/y (51%) for a total of 2150 M€/y of economic savings/year, while the total amount of potential environmental savings generated is equal to 4693 ktCO2e/y. On those figures the transportation impact is estimated to account for 4.12% with respect to economic savings and 3.85% with respect to environmental savings. The micro analysis highlights that economic, and normative drivers and barriers are still considered as the most relevant ones as they entail evident effects on companies’ activities. Moreover, an analysis of from actors of the C&D supply chain is provided as well as the impact that a potential UIS system may on companies’ exchanges. Results show that both the cement and steel sector are already virtuous example in terms of waste reuse while C&D actors may benefit more from materials’ reuse
Closed loop supply chain configuration for EV battery industry in Lombardy region
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALELe batterie agli ioni di litio sono essenziali per lo sviluppo dell'elettro mobilità. Infatti, per i veicoli elettrici, le batterie al litio sono diventate un'opzione promettente di accumulo di energia. La sostenibilità del ciclo di vita delle batterie deve affrontare vari problemi che richiedono metodi proattivi a causa di una tendenza al rialzo della domanda delle stesse. Alla fine del ciclo di vita, le batterie mantengono ancora circa il 70-80% della loro capacità iniziale, quindi sono possibili applicazioni di seconda vita (remanufacturing e repurposing). La tesi esamina il passaggio dalla value chain lineare a quella circolare nel contesto delle batterie dei veicoli elettrici per passeggeri. In particolare, vengono analizzate le possibili configurazioni di closed loop supply chain (CLSC) da instaurare in Lombardia. Vengono analizzate tutte le fasi della supply chain e in particolare le diverse strategie di circular economy in grado di chiudere il loop, vale a dire la remanufacturing, il repurposing e il recycling. Inoltre, vengono evidenziati i fattori che influenzano il successo dell'implementazione del sistema CLSC, con la loro diversa rilevanza a seconda dei diversi attori della supply chain. Infine, viene proposta una possibile configurazione CLSC che evidenzia i ruoli e le responsabilità di ciascun attore coinvolto, ma anche i requisiti e le raccomandazioni necessarie per il successo dello sviluppo della CLSC.Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential for the development of electro-mobility. In fact, for electric vehicles (EVs), LIBs have become a promising energy storage option. The sustainability of LIBs lifecycle faces various issues that call for proactive methods due to an upward trend in demand for LIBs. At the end of life (EOL), batteries still hold around 70-80% of their initial capacity, hence second-life applications (remanufacturing and repurposing) are possible. The thesis examines the shift from linear to circular value chain in the contest of EV batteries for passenger vehicles. In particular, possible closed loop supply chain (CLSC) configurations to be established in Lombardy region are analysed. All stages of the LIB SC are analysed and especially different CE strategies able to close the loop, namely remanufacturing, repurposing and recycling. In addition, factors affecting the successful deployment of CLSC system are pointed out, with their different relevance according to different SC actors. Lastly, it is proposed a possible CLSC configuration underlining the roles and responsibilities of each actor involved, but also the requirements and recommendations needed for the successful CLSC development
Exploring reverse supply chain configurations of high voltage li-ion batteries for heavy e-vehicles under different structural and operational conditions
Full text linkLAUREA MAGISTRALEII cambiamenti climatici sono largamente riconosciuti come uno dei più catastrofici eventi che il mondo sta fronteggiando. L’elettrificazione dei trasporti è al momento una delle più importanti sfide per combattere il riscaldamento globale. Al momento le aziende si sono concentrate maggiormente sulla creazione di nuove tecnologie e sulla loro scalabilità, trascurando l’impatto ambientale che queste ultime potrebbero avere. Tuttavia, è importante avere una strategia green e profittevole sul lungo periodo per combattere il cambiamento climatico tramite il riutilizzo di prodotti critici, quali ad esempio le batterie elettriche.
L’obiettivo di questo studio è trovare una soluzione per reintrodurre nel mercato le batterie elettriche legate al mercato automobilistico (in particolare bus e camion) più di una volta allargando il loro ciclo vita tramite l’utilizzo di una reverse supply chain configuration. Per trovare la più profittevole e migliore soluzione si è utilizzato un modello di simulazione informatico. Il principale obiettivo di questo studio è l’introduzione del secondo ciclo vita delle batterie all’interno del MILP model guardando a quale sia la soluzione migliore per gestirlo. Inoltre, è stato condotto uno studio anche sull’impatto che l’incertezza potrebbe avere sul modello. I risultati sono una base per aiutare a prendere decisioni sul come sviluppare una strategia di closed loop supply chain per le batterie elettriche legate al mercato automobilistico; inoltre, dimostrano come questa strategia possa portare benefici economici per i produttori di automobili.Climate changes are widely recognised as one of the most catastrophic events that the world is facing. Electrification of transportation is one of the most challenging proposal to fight the global warming. So far, industries has been focusing their attention on technology deployment and scaling up, focusing less on the enviromental impact that these technologies could have. However, it is important to have a profitable and green strategy to fight climate changes with the reutilization of critical products, such as the electric batteries.
The aim of this study is to find a suitable way to reintroduce in the market heavy electric batteries linked to the EVs (in particular bus and trucks) more than once enlarging their life cycle using a reverse supply chain configuration. To do that simulation has been used in order to find the most profitable solutions exploring different possible configurations. The main focus of the study is the introduction in the MILP model of the second life cycle of the battery finding the best solution to manage it according to economic and circular economy parameter. Moreover, the second life cycle of battery’s study has been enlarged with the introduction of uncertainty in one of the activities performed. Results provide valuable ground for decision making regarding the development of the closed loop supply chain model of high voltage batteries showing that this solution can provide economic benefits for car manufacturers
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