Remanufacture for Sustainability: A review of the barriers and the solutions to promote remanufacturing

Remanufacturing is the only end-of-life process where used products are brought back to the Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) performance specification from the customers' perspective. At the same time, it offers a warranty equal or better to that of corresponding new products. During this process, products are returned to their original state with minimum waste of material and energy. Moreover, the benefits of remanufacturing are not only limited to ecological aspects but also it provides a win-win situation for both the customer and the remanufacturer. Nevertheless, remanufacturing systems are inherited with more complex production planning and control activities due to the difficulties and uncertainties in product take-back compared to traditional manufacturing. The purpose of this review is to identify the main barriers of remanufacturing. Identified barriers are categorised according to the triple helix of the innovation model. The paper also reviews the solutions provided in the rest of the world in addressing the barriers of remanufacturing.