Reverse logistics: Network design based on life cycle assessment

Abstract

When aiming to a more sustainable world, enterprises such as aircraft and automobile industries are highly interested in light weight components and solutions. Of these solutions are aluminum wrought alloys that offer high potentials for dramatic weight reduction of structural parts. Nevertheless, the production of virgin aluminum is, however, highly energy consuming. Hence, and in SuPLight project, we are interested in recycled aluminum. The aim of this project is to address new industrial models for sustainable light weight solutions-with recycling in high-end structural components based on wrought alloys. In this article we address the issue of designing the reverse logistics chain assuring the needed volume of recycled aluminum for the production of L-shaped Front Lower Control Arms for personal cars.