A Multi-Actor-Perspective on Reverse Logistics and Enhanced Circularity of Car Bumper Covers: A Case Study at Volvo Cars
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Industrial ecology (MPTSE), MSc
Publicerad
2022
Författare
Myklebust, Lea
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The automotive industry ranks as the third biggest plastic consumer, responsible for 8.8 % of the total
plastic demand and 5 % of the post-consumer plastic waste. Today, close to1000 tons of high- quality
material from bumper covers alone is discarded at Volvo certified repair shops globally, with Sweden
being the biggest market. The vast majority of this material is incinerated with energy recovery. This
master thesis project therefore aimed to identify critical factors and enablers for an effective bumper
cover recycling and to demonstrate what such a value network can look like in terms of actors involved
and material- and information flows. This was done through exploration of the value network and reverse
logistics system from a multi actors’ perspective. Interviews was the main source of data. Seven impact
factor categories were identified: operational and logistics, technical and quality; economic; people and
attitudes; policy and regulations; ownership and control; and information and communication, of which
the most important factors are feasibility of material reuse; quality control; employee engagement and
competencies; and material flow control. Important enablers to avoid or overcome barriers include active
learning, focus on communication and education, and further testing of material tolerances to remove
uncertainties relating to technical aspects of material reuse. Recommendations to project coordinators
at Volvo include getting familiar with the identified impact factors, and to organize material and
production testing to determine tolerances to eliminate existing and restraining uncertainties.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Actor system mapping, automotive, circular economy, circular value network, ELV, plastic recycling, plastic waste, reverse logistics, value retention.