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Case Study Analysing Potentials to Improve Material Efficiency in Manufacturing Supply Chains, Considering Circular Economy Aspects

Author

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  • Anja T. Braun

    (ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

  • Peter Kleine-Moellhoff

    (ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

  • Volker Reichenberger

    (ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

  • Stephan Seiter

    (ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

Abstract

In order to decouple economic growth from global material consumption it is necessary to implement material efficiency strategies at the level of single enterprises and their supply chains, and to implement circular economy aspects. Manufacturing firms face multiple implementation challenges like cost limitations, competition, innovation and stakeholder pressure, and supplier and customer relationships, among others. Taking as an example a case of a medium-sized manufacturing company, opportunities to realise material efficiency improvements within the company borders—on the supply chain and by using circular economy measures—are assessed. Deterministic calculations and simulations, performed for the supply chain of this company, show that measures to increase material efficiency in the supply chain are important. However, they need to be complemented by efforts to return waste and used products to the economic cycle, which requires rethinking the traditional linear economic system.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja T. Braun & Peter Kleine-Moellhoff & Volker Reichenberger & Stephan Seiter, 2018. "Case Study Analysing Potentials to Improve Material Efficiency in Manufacturing Supply Chains, Considering Circular Economy Aspects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:880-:d:137113
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rocío González-Sánchez & Davide Settembre-Blundo & Anna Maria Ferrari & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2020. "Main Dimensions in the Building of the Circular Supply Chain: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Erik Roos Lindgreen & Roberta Salomone & Tatiana Reyes, 2020. "A Critical Review of Academic Approaches, Methods and Tools to Assess Circular Economy at the Micro Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Anna Luthin & Marzia Traverso & Robert H. Crawford, 2024. "Circular life cycle sustainability assessment: An integrated framework," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(1), pages 41-58, February.
    4. Tom Lahti & Joakim Wincent & Vinit Parida, 2018. "A Definition and Theoretical Review of the Circular Economy, Value Creation, and Sustainable Business Models: Where Are We Now and Where Should Research Move in the Future?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Marit Moe Bjørnbet & Sigurd Sagen Vildåsen, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment to Ensure Sustainability of Circular Business Models in Manufacturing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Fu Haw Ho & Salwa Hanim Abdul-Rashid & Raja Ariffin Raja Ghazilla & Yoke Ling Woo, 2019. "Resources Sustainability through Material Efficiency Strategies: An Insight Study of Electrical and Electronic Companies," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-16, June.

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