Economic Instruments and Induced Innovation: The Case of End-of-Life Vehicles European Policies

The paper addresses the dynamic-incentive effect of environmental policy instruments when innovation is uncertain and occurs in very complex industrial subsystems. The case of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is considered focusing predominantly on the effects of the European Directive adopted in 2000 which stipulated economic instruments as free take-back, and on the voluntary agreements in place in many EU countries. The ELV case study is an example of a framework where policy-making faces an intrinsic dynamic and systemic environment. Coherent sequences of single innovations taking place in both upstream (car making) and downstream (car recycling/recovery) of the ELV system can give rise to different “innovation paths”, in accordance with cost-benefit considerations, technological options and capabilities associated to the different industrial actors involved. The impact of economic instruments on innovation paths, in particular free take-back, is considered. Deficiencies or difficulties concerning the transmission of incentives between different industries can prevent the creation of new recycling/recovery/reuse markets, giving rise to other less preferable and unexpected outcomes. The implication for policy is a need for an integrated policy approach, as enforceable VAs, in order to create a shared interindustry interest for innovation and to reduce the possible adverse effects which economic instruments exert on innovation through cost benefit impacts on key industrial and waste-related agents involved in the ELV management system. These advantages should be taken into account vis à vis the emergence of Integrated Product Policy (IPP) as a leading concept of EU environmental policy and the associated shift from "extended producer responsibility" to "extended product responsibility".ELV, Induced innovation, Dynamic efficiency, Economic instruments, Recycling

Driving vehicle dismantling forward - A combined literature and empirical study

To move towards a more sustainable and circular economy, a more efficient recovery processes for end-of-life vehicles and their constituent components and materials is needed. To enable reuse, remanufacturing, high-value recycling and other circular strategies, a well-functioning disassembly is essential. This article presents a literature review of studies focusing on vehicle dismantling and surrounding end-of-life treatment systems. Furthermore, topics considered as the most critical for practitioners were identified through focus groups composed of industry representatives and researchers from various Swedish organizations. By comparing findings from the literature and empirical results, it is concluded that there are differences and gaps between the areas researched and those considered as important by industry, thus calling for further research to address practical challenges in improving vehicle end-of-life management. The four areas highlighted as the most prominent are: i) plastics, ii) batteries, iii) investments and ownership structures, and iv) the workforce

Designing a Circular Economy for Plastics: The Role of Chemical Recycling in Germany

Greenhouse gas emissions from human economic activity are causing global warming, leading to numerous impacts, including sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and increases in extreme weather events. For this reason, parties involved in the Paris Climate Agreement agreed to limit global warming to reduce its impacts. The second largest global emitter of carbon dioxide is the industrial production of goods. Within industrial production, the chemical industry with the production of olefins and other high-value chemicals for, among other things, plastic production, has a significant impact. Therefore, the present dissertation addresses designing a circular economy for plastics employing chemical recycling, contributing to the decarbonization and defossilization of the German chemical industry. Five studies published as companion articles address substantial aspects of the chemical recycling of plastic waste as well as barriers to establishing a circular economy. Study A assesses chemical recycling via pyrolysis for lightweight packaging waste and shows that combining the currently predominant mechanical recycling with chemical recycling has economic and environmental advantages over employing these technologies individually. At the same time, more carbon can be recycled, reducing the dependence on fossil resources. Study B shows the importance of integrating the quality of secondary materials in assessing recycling routes. The preferable recycling technology can change based on the quality metrics and their integration into the assessment. Study C conducts pyrolysis experiments for automotive plastic waste and includes the generated data in an economic and environmental assessment of a chemical recycling route. Different economic and environmentally preferable waste handling options are identified when comparing chemical recycling with waste incineration with energy recovery. Study D examines the economics of automotive plastic waste pyrolysis and identifies the minimum plant input capacity at which the pyrolysis is economically feasible in German framework conditions. Study E combines the collected findings in a facility location optimization model for pyrolysis plants treating lightweight packaging and automotive plastic waste in Germany\u27s current waste treatment network. Political steering strategies are analyzed to align economic and environmental objectives in the waste treatment sector. In addition to the detailed results of the individual studies, four overarching implications are derived: First, waste containing primarily polyolefins and engineering plastics can be technically pyrolyzed and are a suitable feedstock for chemical recycling. However, the most significant waste quantities studied are generated in short-lived lightweight packaging. Second, chemical recycling is environmentally preferable over waste incineration with energy recovery for all assessed waste streams. Economically, chemical recycling is not preferable compared to waste incineration with energy recovery for automotive plastic waste resulting in a conflict of economical and environmentally preferable waste handling options. Third, the quality of the secondary materials must be considered when assessing waste recycling options, as this strongly influences economic and environmental assessment. Fourth, political steering strategies like the extension of CO$_{2}$ certificate trading and introducing recycling rates for waste that is a feedstock for waste incineration with energy recovery can align economical and environmentally preferable waste treatment options. Consequently, the present dissertation provides valuable insights into the role of chemical recycling when designing a circular economy for plastics. Therefore, it has the potential to significantly contribute to closing the circularity gap of plastics

An integrated approach to value chain analysis of end of life aircraft treatment

Dans cette thèse, on propose une approche holistique pour l’analyse, la modélisation et l’optimisation des performances de la chaîne de valeur pour le traitement des avions en fin de vie (FdV). Les recherches réalisées ont débouché sur onze importantes contributions. Dans la première contribution, on traite du contexte, de la complexité, de la diversité et des défis du recyclage d’avions en FdV. La seconde contribution traite du problème de la prédiction du nombre de retraits d’avions et propose une approche intégrée pour l’estimation de ce nombre de retraits. Le troisième et le quatrième articles visent à identifier les parties prenantes, les valeurs perçues par chaque partenaire et indiquent comment cette valeur peut affecter les décisions au stade de la conception. Les considérations relatives à la conception et à la fabrication ont donné lieu à quatre contributions importantes. La cinquième contribution traite des défis et opportunités pouvant résulter de l’application des concepts de la chaîne logistique verte, pour les manufacturiers d’avions. Dans la sixième contribution, un outil d’aide à la décision a été développé pour choisir la stratégie verte qui optimise les performances globales de de toute la chaîne de valeur en tenant compte des priorités et contraintes de chaque partenaire. Dans la septième contribution, un modèle mathématique est proposé pour analyser le choix stratégique des manufacturiers en réponse aux directives en matière de FdV de produits comme le résultat des interactions des compétiteurs dans le marché. La huitième contribution porte sur les travaux réalisés dans le cadre d’un stage chez le constructeur d’avions, Bombardier. Cette dernière traite de l’apport de « l’analyse du cycle de vie » au stade de la conception d’avions. La neuvième contribution introduit une méthodologie d’analyse de la chaîne de valeur dans un contexte de développement durable. Finalement, les dixième et onzième contributions proposent une approche holistique pour le traitement des avions en FdV en intégrant les concepts du « lean », du développement durable et des contraintes et opportunités inhérentes à la mondialisation des affaires. Un modèle d’optimisation intégrant les modèles d’affaires, les stratégies de désassemblage et les structures du réseau qui influencent l’efficacité, la stabilité et l’agilité du réseau de récupération est proposé. Les données requises pour exploiter le modèle sont indiquées dans l’article. Mots-clés: Fin de vie des avions, analyse de la chaîne de valeurs, développement durable, intervenants.The number of aircrafts at the end of life (EOL) is continuously increasing. Dealing with retired aircrafts considering the environmental, social and economic impacts is becoming an emerging problem in the aviation industry in near future. This thesis seeks to develop a holistic approach in order to analyze the value chain of EOL aircraft treatment in the context of sustainable development. The performed researches have led to eleven main contributions. In the first contribution, the complexity and diversity of the EOL aircraft recycling including the challenges and problem context are discussed. The second contribution addresses the challenges for estimation of retired aircrafts and proposes an integrated approach for prediction of EOL aircrafts. The third and fourth contributions aim to identify the players involved in EOL recycling context, values perceived by different shareholders and formulate that how such value can affect design decisions. Design stage consideration and manufacture’s issues are discussed and have led to four main contributions. The fifth contribution addresses the opportunities and challenges of applying green supply chain for aircraft manufacturers. In the sixth contribution, a decision tool is developed to aid manufactures in early stage of design for their green strategy choices. In the seventh contribution, a mathematical model is developed in order to analyze the strategic choice of manufacturers in response to EOL directives as the result of the interaction of competitors in the market. An internship project has been also performed in Bombardier and led to the eighth contribution, which addresses life cycle approach and incorporating the sustainability in early stage of design of aircraft. The ninth contribution introduces a methodology for analyzing the value chain in the context of sustainable development. Finally, the tenth and eleventh contributions propose a holistic approach to EOL aircraft treatment considering lean principals, sustainable development, and global business environment. An optimization model is developed to support decision making in both strategic and managerial level. The analytical approaches, decision tools and step by step guidelines proposed in this thesis will aid decision makers to identify appropriate strategies for the EOL aircraft treatment in the sustainable development context. Keywords: End of life aircraft, value chain analysis, sustainable development, stakeholders

Eco Global Evaluation: Cross Benefits of Economic and Ecological Evaluation

This paper highlights the complementarities of cost and environmental evaluation in a sustainable approach. Starting with the needs and limits for whole product lifecycle evaluation, this paper begins with the modeling, data capture and performance indicator aspects. In a second step, the information issue, regarding the whole lifecycle of the product is addressed. In order to go further than the economical evaluations/assessment, the value concept (for a product or a service) is discussed. Value could combine functional requirements, cost objectives and environmental impact. Finally, knowledge issues which address the complexity of integrating multi-disciplinary expertise to the whole lifecycle of a product are discussing.EcoSD NetworkEcoSD networ

Identification and assessment of the economic outcomes of commercial aircraft decommissioning: a theoretical and mathematical approach to support decision-making regarding endof-life aircraft treatment issues

This work develops the literature review on the problem of the end-of-life treatment of aircraft used for public passenger and cargo air transport in the context of international commercial aviation. The final destination decisions of these aircraft are analyzed from the point of view of the technical and economic aspects that guide the decision-making of the owners and operators of these production assets. In addition to the developed theoretical framework, a mathematical model for financial cost-benefit analysis is also proposed to assist in this decision-making process. The main objective is to determine the appropriate moment to take end-of-life treatment decisions for these aircraft, in order to ensure the recovery of value to the stakeholders.Este trabalho desenvolve a revisão da literatura acerca do problema do tratamento de fim de vida econômica das aeronaves utilizadas no transporte aéreo público de passageiros e cargas, no âmbito da aviação comercial internacional. As decisões de destinação final dessas aeronaves são analisadas sob a ótica dos aspectos técnicos e econômicos que orientam a tomada de decisão dos proprietários e operadores desses bens de produção. Além do arcabouço teórico desenvolvido, propõe-se ainda um modelo matemático para análise de custo-benefício financeira para auxiliar tal processo de tomada de decisão. O principal objetivo é determinar o tempo apropriado para tomar decisões de tratamento de fim de vida econômica dessas aeronaves, visando assegurar a recuperação de valor às partes interessadas no referido problema

Analysis of the Variety of Lithium-Ion Battery Modules and the Challenges for an Agile Automated Disassembly System

Within this paper the initial steps for the realisation of an agile automated system for battery module disassembly will be presented. The state of the art battery modules need to be analysed with regards to their structure, components and the relationship of the components to each other. In particular, the key challenges in battery module disassembly up to cell level are identified and classified in order to systematically derive the requirements for the disassembly system. The identified challenges for automated disassembly are twofold: process-related and product-related. The variety of battery modules can be seen as a product-related challenge, while non-detachable joints combined with the hazards posed by Li-ion batteries can be described as process-related challenge. An approach for capturing the variety of battery modules is done by using the methodology of a morphological box

Environmental and economic assessments of electric vehicle battery end-of-life business models

Paper I is excluded from the dissertation until it is published.The number of electric vehicles is rapidly and continuously increasing due to the transport sector’s electrification to reduce emissions such as greenhouse gases. Each electric vehicle is powered by a battery that can contain remaining capacity after first use and several potentially valuable materials. The demand for energy storage systems accelerates the need for these batteries. Considering the upcoming volumes of used electric vehicle batteries, a circular economy for batteries is crucial to enhance environmental and economic sustainability. Circular economy business models aim to strategically reduce the use of resources by closing, narrowing, and slowing material loops, enabling economically and environmentally sustainable business. However, the potential environmental benefits of such circular economy efforts are not explicit. The aim of this work is to provide recommendations for global economic and environmental sustainability of used electric vehicles batteries by considering a circular economy. This objective requires an interdisciplinary approach, building on existing research fields and methods within business and engineering sciences. This interdisciplinary approach prevents problem shifting between environmental and economic sustainability performance of the circular business models identified and assessed. In order to address the main thesis aim, four research questions were developed, and four corresponding publications were produced as a result. Paper I explores market opportunities and limitations for used electric vehicle batteries in Norway, a country with a high market share of electric cars in new car sales. The work qualitatively models the used electric vehicle batteries business ecosystem based on interviews with the industrial ecosystem actors. The globally relevant findings from paper I identify realistic end-of-life alternatives for paper II. Paper II identifies and discusses the globally recommended circular business model to enhance a circular economy for batteries from electric vehicles. The Delphi panel viii method enables a battery expert panel to elaborate on a suitable circular business model for the upcoming volumes of used electric vehicle batteries. Paper III assesses the identified circular business model from paper II to discuss how such a business model can be economically viable and realistic. The techno-economic assessment considers multiple scenarios to detect economic factors for circular business model success. Paper IV assesses the identified circular business models from paper II to discuss how such a business model can benefit the climate and natural environment. Life cycle assessment methodology can calculate the environmental impacts of decisions between business models. Life cycle assessment can detect problems shifting between ecological impact categories, such as greenhouse gas emissions and contamination of the natural environment. The research reveals that repurposing electric vehicle batteries in appropriate second-life applications can reduce their environmental impact and extend their useful lifespan. Eventually, the materials must be recycled to the extent possible. This circular business model’s key environmental benefit is the potential reduction in the demand for new batteries, which could help displace primary production and avoid emissions and other environmental impacts from these industrial processes. However, there is a risk this circular business model may be economically unviable. Several factors must be considered and combined to improve profitability and realistic commercial operations, including the state of health, ageing, lifetime of the battery after its first life, price of used batteries, ownership model, location, second-life application, potential grid connection, and electricity profile of the battery system.publishedVersio

Multi-Robot Task Planning for Efficient Battery Disassembly in Electric Vehicles

With the surging interest in electric vehicles (EVs), there is a need for advancements in the development and dismantling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are highly important for the circular economy. This paper introduces an intelligent hybrid task planner designed for multi-robot disassembly and demonstrates its application to an EV lithium-ion battery pack. The objective is to enable multiple robots to operate collaboratively in a single workspace to execute battery disassembly tasks efficiently and without collisions. This approach can be generalized to almost any disassembly task. The planner uses logical and hierarchical strategies to identify object locations from data captured by cameras mounted on each robot’s end-effector, orchestrating coordinated pick-and-place operations. The efficacy of this task planner was assessed through simulations with three trajectory-planning algorithms: RRT, RRTConnect, and RRTStar. Performance evaluations focused on completion times for battery disassembly tasks. The results showed that completion times were similar across the planners, with 543.06 s for RRT, 541.89 s for RRTConnect, and 547.27 s for RRTStar, illustrating that the effectiveness of the task planner is independent of the specific joint-trajectory-planning algorithm used. This demonstrates the planner’s capability to effectively manage multi-robot disassembly operations