A circularity-based quality assessment tool to classify the core for recovery businesses

To realise circularity in the management of used materials and associated recovery practices for value creation, a circularity-based quality assessment tool (CQAT) is proposed in this study. The issue is addressed with core classification based on quality factors assessing circularity at the product level. A circularity-based quality indicator (QI) is developed that classifies the core into reusable, remanufacturable, and recyclable (3R) at the acquisition phases of the core retrieval system. For the validation of CQAT, four real cases of small-medium-sized dismantling firms dealing with engines, motor gearboxes, motor pumps, and refrigerators involved in remanufacturing activities are analysed. The study employs an integrative coefficient correlation maximisation approach (CCMA) and whitenization weight functions (WWF) clustering model that estimates the priorities of regenerative and restorative actions. The result reveals that the severe damage with high disassembly processing time due to destructive disassembly in the post-acquisition phase is highly critical to the circularity of the retrieval system. It exhibits that damage, processing time, value retention classify core into lowest grade at acquisition phases. Since possibilities of value recovery are lost, firms are least concerned with social and environmental considerations. Additionally, the design and functionality dimensions in the inspection majorly classify cores into remanufacturable.