phd thesis on circular economy

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Circular Economy Thesis Library

Circular economy research and education @ unu-merit / mgsog + ucm.

Bachelor’s (#9) and Master’s Theses (#14) on Circular Economy

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Food, Food Loss and Waste, Measurement (#3)

Schiffer L. (2018).  Measurement of Food Loss and Waste: A Multi-Sectoral Argumentative Analysis , UNU-MERIT/MGSoG Maastricht University,   Maastricht,   The  Netherlands,  70 pages,  Second Reader: Bart Kleine Deters

Van esch s. (2018). food waste policy integration: changes in food waste policy integration in the european union governance , unu-merit/mgsog , maastricht university,   maastricht,   the  netherlands,  88 pages, supervisor: victor osei kwadwo, gresele v.  (2016). the meat issue: is it really environmentally friendly a discussion based on the environmental impacts of the production, consumption and waste management of meat, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands,  2016,  supervisor:  dr. serdar türkeli .

Clothing, Textile and Fashion Industry (#3)

Camacho J.V. (2019). Experimenting for a Circular Business Model: Experiences from the Clothing Industry , International Center of Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Maastricht University, The Netherlands, 82 pages, Supervisors: Prof. René Kemp & Florian Goldschmeding

Schmidt c.g.  (2018).  circular economy: a sustainable alternative for the textile industry , unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university, maastricht, the  netherlands, 85 pages,  second reader: dr. pui-hang wong, böllhoff b . (2019). a circular system for the fashion industry: business case or trend,  university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 46 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli.

Plastics, Plastic Packaging, Bioplastics (#4)

Nyoike W. (2018).  Status and Prospects of Alternatives to Plastic Use in Different World Regions: Case of Plastic Packaging ,  UNU-MERIT/MGSoG , Maastricht University,   Maastricht,   The  Netherlands,   89 pages,  Second Reader: Julia Reinold

Rodríguez l.m. (2019). burying opportunities: business and policy perspectives on circular economy transition in plastic production and consumption in costa rica, a q-methodology study, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 36 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, ​ küster e. (2019).  solving the plastic dilemma: assessing policy strategies for the transition to a circular economy for plastic packaging, the cases of england and germany, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 44 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, ​ rasche c.  (2017). can bioplastics become the new black: a socio-technical system analysis of bioplastics in the context of transitioning towards a circular bioeconomy in the european union,  university college maastricht , maastricht university, the netherlands, 45 pages, supervisor:  dr. serdar türkeli.

Waste Electric Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (#2)

Yang M . (2018). Utilization of data in the policy making : a case study of WEEE management , UNU-MERIT/MGSoG Maastricht University,  Maastricht, The  Netherlands, 109 pages, Supervisor: Ruediger Kuehr,   Second Reader:  Dr. Serdar Türkeli

Törmälä,  e. (2018). circuits to circulation waste electrical and electronic equipment in transitioning to a circular economy in the european union, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 31 pages, supervisor:  dr. serdar türkeli.

​ Institutions, Assessment, Measurement (#11)

Dascarolis C. (2020). Designing Education for Circular Economy Transition: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis and fs/QCA Analysis , SBE Emerging Markets, Maastricht University,  Maastricht, The  Netherlands, 77 pages, Supervisor: Dr. Serdar Türkeli

Paliukėnaitė a . (2020). the circular economy in european cities: fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university,  maastricht, the  netherlands, 77 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, delporte s. (2020). social media content design: a tool to engage the youth in circular economy practices. unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university,  maastricht, the  netherlands, 143 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, haddad c. r . (2018).  configurational conditions of circular economic performance in the eu-28: a fuzzy set analysis approach , unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university,  maastricht, the  netherlands, 109 pages,  second reader: michelle gonzález amador, kably n.  (2017). fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis as a new method for policy evaluation: green growth in the eu15, efficiency and circularity , unu-merit/mgsog  maastricht  university,   maastricht,   the  netherlands,   107  pages,  second reader: emmanuel mensah, ​ dufourmont  j . (2016).   data  and participatory  challenges  in transition  to a circular  economy  in european  cities , unu-merit/mgsog  maastricht  university,   maastricht,   the  netherlands,   107  pages,  second reader: iulia falcan, ​ dechamps y.  (2016).  the circular economy in singapore: a sectoral and institutional analysis , unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university, maastricht, the netherlands, 113 pages, second reader: iulia falcan, clay t.  (2016).  the technological and financial challenges in transition toward a circular economy ,   unu-merit/mgsog maastricht university, maastricht, the netherlands, 92 pages, second reader: iulia falcan, flamand g . (2019). a paradigm shift in dutch environmental management values, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 46 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, schots t.  (2018). the future of consumer goods is circular, but how to get there, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands, 44 pages, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli, peake a.  (2016). is circular economy the solution to the tragedy of commons, university college maastricht, maastricht university, the netherlands,  2016, supervisor: dr. serdar türkeli.

*Updated frequently, for B.Sc. capstone theses, please contact authors.

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An Investigation Into The Drivers, Barriers And Policy Implications Of Circular Economy Using A Mixed-Mode Research Approach

--> Abubakar, FH (2018) An Investigation Into The Drivers, Barriers And Policy Implications Of Circular Economy Using A Mixed-Mode Research Approach. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.

The 21st century presents a new set of challenges to mankind, notably intensive global competition, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and rapid growth in population relying on a resource base that is finite in nature. Addressing these challenges has, therefore, become a matter of global concern and urgency, prompting government industries and the financial markets to rethink their approaches with the view to move towards a low-carbon economy. The move towards a circular economy which presents a shift from the current produce-use-dispose approach is touted as a practical solution to the planet's emerging resource crunch given its potential to address both environmental and socio-economic issues. However, despite the promising nature of the circular economy paradigm, a lack of understanding of the concept is rendering its acceptance and implementation a difficult proposition. This is further compounded by lack of genuine interest from key stakeholders regarding the concept, given that a shift to a circular economy would require considerable changes in all parts of the value chain. At present, relevant stakeholders are scrambling for an efficient, consistent and reliable approach towards understanding the concept for onward implementation. In pursuit of a system of operation that satisfies the dual role of GHG mitigation and wealth generation, the current research presents a rigorous analysis of the concept of the circular economy with the view to shedding light on its drivers, barriers and policy implications. This was carried out using two approaches. The first approach entails an exhaustive examination of the supply chain of representative metals that have primary and secondary routes of production through using environmental lifecycle assessment framework. For the four case studies considered, the competitive edge of the circular economy paradigm over the linear approach was demonstrated, at least from a purely environmental perspective. Building upon the LCA study, the current work examines the barriers and drivers towards circular economy practices implementation. Set against a background of stakeholder engagement, key stakeholders from the metals supply chains were identified (including scrap dealers, public authorities, consumers, manufacturers, recyclers, civil society) and interviewed with the view to provide qualitative empirical evidence of the feasibility of such transition. Thematic content analysis of the interviews with key actors and stakeholders yielded seven themes and several sub-themes which can shape the understanding and facilitate the transitioning from a linear economy to circular economy, whilst laying a solid foundation for its acceptance and future implementation. Overall, the analysis presented in this work highlight the competitive edge of the circular economy, however, a key concern is that the economic viability of such transition may be questionable given that mechanisms to endorse them are deemed weak at the moment. For a move to circular economy to become a reality, concerted effort from all stakeholders including policy makers, energy professionals and the society at large is required.

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Our current economic practices are ecologically unsustainable. We take resources out of the ground, use them up, and dispose of them faster than our planet can regenerate them. This ‘linear economy’ leads to both depletion of resource deposits and uncontrollable waste streams. Alternatively, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners have begun to embrace the concept of a circular economy, which aims to minimize the input of virgin resources and output of waste and emissions from economic activities by narrowing, slowing, and looping material flows. However, implementing more circular economic practices remains challenging and cumbersome. As many identified challenges point to an underlying information problem, digital technologies—artifacts embodied in or enabled by information and communication technologies—are being touted as potential drivers of a circular economy. However, the relationship between digital technologies as part of larger information systems and a circular economy remains largely unexplored. In this dissertation, I present four studies that examine the relationship between digital technologies and a circular economy. In the studies, we explore (a) the potential of Information Systems scholarship to contribute to circular economy research, (b) information flows relevant to the implementation of circular economy principles, such as reuse, repair, or recycle, (c) the digitalization of waste management firms, which are a core circular economy industry, and (d) changing control structures in digital product aftermarkets that may impact repair and remanufacturing services. The insights from this dissertation extend the body of knowledge on information systems and environmental sustainability from digital technologies for energy efficiency to digital technologies for resource efficiency in support of sustainable production and consumption.

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Investigating the Circular Economy and its Impact in the UK Manufacturing Sector

• Anisuddin Gabbur
• Work & Organisation

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

• circular economy
• waste hierarchy
• business sustainability
• sustainability
• resource-based view
• VRIN framework
• dynamic capabilities
• competitive advantage
• policymaking

File : application/pdf, 9.42 MB

Type : Thesis

• Bibliography
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Han, Sara Li-Chou. "Circular economy fashion strategies." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2017. http://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/620639/.

Milan, Umberto <1994&gt. "Circular economy, sustainable capitalism." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/17477.

Blomsma, Fenna. "Making sense of circular economy." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/47907.

Türk, Ferhat, and Roman Zandi. "Circular Economy : Reuse of packaging." Thesis, KTH, Hållbar produktionsutveckling (ML), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-263323.

Minunno, Roberto. "Circular Economy of Modular Buildings." Thesis, Curtin University, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/82005.

Odongo, Martha Pauline Ojok, and Olivia Rose Gram Thomsen. "Circular Economy and Organisational Learning for SMEs : A study of SMEs practising circular economy in Kenya." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Institutionen för Urbana Studier (US), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-45983.

João, Diogo Fernando Custódio Duarte. "Economia circular - caso IKEA." Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/17455.

Girotti, Andrea. "Packaging strategies for the Circular Economy." Master's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2017.

O’Grady, Timothy Michael. "Circular Economy of Advanced Prefabricated Buildings." Thesis, Curtin University, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/89151.

Baxter, Weston L. "Designing circular possessions : exploring human-object relationships in the circular economy." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/52779.

Brodersen, Pauline, Johanna Håkansson, and Rodrigues Coelho Viktor Pombal. "Circular Economy, the future economy model for retailers : A qualitative study on retailers understanding of Circular Economy and their sustainability work progress." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för marknadsföring (MF), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-95338.

Lu, Xupeng (Luke), Shuiwei (Lucy) Wang, and Jie (Jim) Hu. "Government Interventions in Developing a Circular Economy." Thesis, Kristianstad University College, Department of Business Administration, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-3422.

This dissertation focuses on the roles of government intervention in developing circular economy. We start with a pre-study of the theories and literature related to circular economy in the developed countries around world. Several case studies are adopted to illustrate the different measures in developing circular economy. Case studies concerning the environmental taxation, the tradable permits and the green certificate system put an emphasis on the economic role of government intervention. A case study of a circular economy in the city of Kristianstad including C4 Energy Company and waste management covers all the measures in harmonization. At last a framework of government interventions and eight proposals based on Swedish experience are tested and supported. Then a comparison between Sweden and China is carried on under a Chinese context through a case study of Chinese Eco-park. The framework is categorized into three aspects: state regulation, economic instruments and social balance mechanism. After the comparison, some modifications are done. We develop a framework and eight proposals in developing a circular economy in China.

Blissett, Robert. "Coal fly ash and the circular economy." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2015. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/6002/.

Muzaiek, Samir, and Merico João Murilo Silva. "The Circular Economy: A path to sustainability?" Thesis, Internationella Handelshögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, IHH, Företagsekonomi, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-44360.

Liaros, Steven. "Networks of Circular Economy Villages: Political Economic Principles and Spatial Potentials." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26675.

Alday, Lara Perla Patricia. "Biodegradable batteries as sustainable power sources for portable devices." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/664250.

Andersson, Jonas. "Towards Circular Economy: Exploring states´ incentives for change." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för kultur och samhälle (KS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-22427.

Bradley, Ryan T. "TRANSFORMING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY INTO A HELICAL ECONOMY FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/me_etds/135.

Amoorizi, Varnamkhasti Kianoosh. "Competitive Business framework design toward the circular economy." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-86977.

Lam, Dennis, Jie Yang, Yong Wang, Xianghe Dai, Therese Sheehan, and Kan Zhou. "New composite flooring system for the circular economy." Techno-Press, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/18598.

Lammert, L. (Laura). "Circular economy in architecture:sustainable principles for future design." Master's thesis, University of Oulu, 2018. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201811233096.

Gunnebrink, Emma. "Remanufacturing towards a circular economy : the practitioners' perspective." Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Akademin för textil, teknik och ekonomi, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-21997.

Da, Ronco Erica <1998&gt. "Measuring the regional dimension of the circular economy." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/22016.

Horikx, Lotte, and Bledar Beqiri. "Circular economy in the Nordic region – on the right path? : The effect of circular economy business practices on firms’ environmental performance." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-324860.

Mejias, Torrent Laura. "A step towards biowaste digestate valorization: process development for bt-derived biopesticides production through ssf and performace at demonstration scale." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/671265.

Åkerman, Elin. "Development of Circular Economy Core Indicators for Natural Resources : Analysis of existing sustainability indicators as a baseline for developing circular economy indicators." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekologi, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-180849.

Leroy, Luisa. "CIRCULAR ECONOMY NOW00 : How can a tool stimulate Circular Economy whereby the product development stage will be guided towards less waste generation?" Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för design (DE), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-76331.

RIBEIRO, ROSA ANDRÉ MANUEL. "Circular Economy in the Clothing Industry : Challenges and Strategies." Thesis, KTH, Industriell marknadsföring, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-194132.

Lama, Virginia. "Environmental evaluation of carpet designs in a circular economy." Master's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2021.

Stertman, Edvin. "Perspectives on Product Policy : Towards a European Circular Economy." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-413151.

Fan, Yee Van. "Minimising Emission Footprints in Circular Economy by Process Integration." Doctoral thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta strojního inženýrství, 2019. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-409081.

Pringle, Tegan A. "Establishing a circular economy approach for the leather industry." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2017. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/33499.

LARSELL, AYESA MIKAELA. "Integrating Circular Economy in the Innovation Process for Startups." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för industriell teknik och management (ITM), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-263132.

LUNETTO, VINCENZO. "Energy efficiency and circular economy implications of additive manufacturing." Doctoral thesis, Politecnico di Torino, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11583/2897008.

Tamai, Ilaria <1996&gt. "Circular Economy: principles, legal framework and applications in China." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/17634.

Gallart, Sirvent Pau. "Non-edible triacylglycerols as feedstock to prepare phase change materials and pressure-sensitive adhesives." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Lleida, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/405959.

Conde, Mateos Mireia. "Estudio de viabilidad del uso de residuos procedentes de la explotación forestal del pino como una fuente sostenible y renovable de taninos." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Lleida, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/673912.

Persson, Ola. "What is ciruclar economy? - The discourse of circular economy in the Swedish public sector." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-254222.

Lidvall, Andreas, and Elina Jormakka. "Capitalizing on circular economy : A Case Study of Circular Business Model Innovation at Scandi Gruppen AB." Thesis, Internationella Handelshögskolan, Jönköping University, IHH, Företagsekonomi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-48971.

Strahinic, Nikolina, and Hagbom Hanna. "Organizational Subculture And Circular Economy : A Case Study Of Circular Purchasing In The Municipality Of Malmö." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Institutionen för Urbana Studier (US), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43081.

Bertassini, Ana Carolina. "Captura de valor em uma economia circular: guia para a identificação de oportunidades de valor circular." Universidade de São Paulo, 2018. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/18/18156/tde-09112018-102145/.

Rufí, Salís Martí. "A Circular Economy Approach to Urban Agriculture: an Environmental Assessment." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/671309.

Stein, Nicole [Verfasser]. "Untapped: Understanding the Consumer in Circular Economy Activities - Empirical Case Studies on Consumer Behavior and Motivation in the Context of Circular Economy / Nicole Stein." Wuppertal : Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal, 2021. http://d-nb.info/124016565X/34.

Ubbelohde, Céline Karina E. "New economy, same challenges: Is Circular Economy enabling a sustainable and holistic transition in Europe?" Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-388744.

Bechtel, Nicola, Roman Bojko, and Ronja Völkel. "Be in the Loop : Circular Economy & Strategic Sustainable Development." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Sektionen för ingenjörsvetenskap, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-1942.

Seidel, Alexandra. "Closing the Loop: Exploring IKEA’s Transition to the Circular Economy." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2018. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/pomona_theses/192.

Stugholm, Saga. "Developing an Urban Circular Economy Framework Based on Urban Metabolism." Thesis, KTH, Hållbar utveckling, miljövetenskap och teknik, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-276571.

Grönvik, Lovisa. "Circular Economy Experiments for Established Firms : A Business Model Perspective." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för industriell teknik och management (ITM), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-299596.

Bedoire, Fivel Johannes. "Achieving a decarbonised European steel industry in a circular economy." Thesis, KTH, Hållbar utveckling, miljövetenskap och teknik, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-252300.

Weinesson, Linnéa. "Climate Neutral Management : Implement Circular Economy in the Construction Industry." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Research (SMEER), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-73533.

Advancing the Circular Economy of Critical Materials

Clean energy technologies, which aim to reduce environmental impacts from production and consumption, are gaining traction in an era of ever-increasing environmental awareness. As industries around the globe transition to more environmentally friendly approaches, a greater emphasis has been placed on critical materials (especially rare earth elements) that provide essential and specialized properties to help realize clean energy products or systems (e.g., electric vehicles and wind turbines). Due to increasing demand and substantial supply risks, the market volatility of critical materials (such as price fluctuations and spikes) has been aggravated in recent decades. To mitigate supply uncertainties for emerging clean energy technologies, a transition from the conventional linear economy (take-make-dispose) to a circular economy (CE) is expected to play a vital role. In this context, a circular economy considers end-of-life products and manufacturing waste streams as potential resource flows, from which material value may be extracted to create "new" products.

To support the basic science needs and provide decision-making insights for the nascent circular economy technologies being developed, growing attention has been drawn to crosscutting research. Crosscutting research develops theoretical, computational, and experimental methods that are necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CE technologies under development, so as to identify improvement opportunities and facilitate their industrial implementation. In a market-driven society, techno-economic assessment (TEA) is gaining prominence in the domain of crosscutting research. The objective of TEA is to evaluate the technical viability and economic feasibility of a technology or system. Through production cost-benefit modeling and financial analysis, TEA can assist in making more economically informed decisions regarding process designs and facilitating the commercialization of more CE approaches.

In an effort to accelerate the clean energy transition, this dissertation explores the application of multiple analytical approaches to accelerate the development and deployment of novel technologies that support the circular economy of critical materials. Three knowledge gaps are identified through a literature review: 1) a lack of suitable methods to address unknowns/uncertainties in evaluating the economic feasibility of processes/technologies at early stages of development, especially due to insufficient experimental data; 2) insufficient comprehensive cost-benefit analysis frameworks based upon TEA results, for example, how to interpret TEA metrics and identify optimal operating conditions; 3) Inadequate modeling techniques for the planning of end-of-life infrastructures that are currently underdeveloped.

To close each knowledge gap above, this dissertation pursues the following three overarching goals: 1) Design forecasting and prediction models that can provide decision support in the early stages of project/system development; 2) Extend the utility and enhance the robustness of existing TEA frameworks; 3) Support process planning and system design for end-of-life infrastructures. To accomplish these goals, four technical tasks were undertaken. First, a dynamic price model based on market supply and demand is developed to predict price fluctuations of critical materials that may influence the validity of a TEA. This model makes an analogy between the price dynamics and the moving pattern of a mechanical oscillator. Second, to evaluate the economic feasibility of value recovery activities (e.g., recycling and remanufacturing) that are still being conceptualized, a machine learning model using proxy variables as inputs is developed to provide early-stage estimations. Third, a pioneering remanufacturing system for electric vehicles is proposed and modeled as a stochastic activity network, whose performance is evaluated and optimized in terms of both operation and economy. This network model can be applied in conjunction with simulation, optimization, and topology analysis, which can be adopted to support decision-making across a diverse range of production systems, especially with applications to remanufacturing. Finally, to provide more insightful decision-making guidelines in terms of improvement opportunities, existing TEA models are enhanced by incorporating statistical learning approaches. The invention of graphics-based software tools that promote the adoption and use of TEAs and streamline the procedures for economic evaluations is also discussed.

The main intellectual contribution of this dissertation is a multitude of innovative analytical frameworks and paradigms that can facilitate the implementation and deployment of circular economy approaches for critical materials. By utilizing models and techniques from a diverse range of disciplines (e.g., system dynamics, machine learning, network analysis, and statistical learning), this dissertation broadens the methodologies used in early-stage decision-making for novel CE technologies/processes in development and advances the state of knowledge in system planning and economic analysis.

This research was supported by the Critical Materials Institute (CMI), under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11358.

Degree type.

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Industrial Engineering

Campus location

• West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Advisor/supervisor/committee co-chair, additional committee member 2, additional committee member 3, usage metrics.

• Industrial engineering