Remanufacturing in the Circular Economy

Chapter 5Product Service and Remanufacturing

Mitsutaka Matsumoto*

Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute (AMRI), National Insitute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) Tsukuba, Japan

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The previous study reviewing parts of this chapter are based on a study presented by the author of this chapter [1].

Abstract

Remanufacturing offers significant potential benefits for industries and society, but has encountered several significant barriers in achieving market penetration and global uptake. This chapter argues that these barriers can be mitigated when remanufacturing is incorporated into the service business models of manufacturing companies. Currently, many manufacturing companies, especially those based in developed countries, are making efforts to add creative product services to their business models. This movement provides an opportunity to not only increase economic profits for manufacturers, but also to foster the development of remanufacturing in pursuit of a more sustainable industrial economy. This chapter presents the current state, possibilities, and challenges in product services and remanufacturing, and explores the potential to incorporate these two processes, highlighting case studies in two product areas to support this discussion. Finally, this chapter discusses requirements and challenges to effectively integrating product services and remanufacturing.

Keywords: Product services, servitization, product-service systems, ...