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The use of decision support tools to accelerate the development of circular economic business models for hard disk drives and rare-earth magnets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2020

Kali Frost Open the ORCID record for Kali Frost [Opens in a new window] ,
Hongyue Jin ,
William Olson ,
Mark Schaffer ,
Gary Spencer  and
Carol Handwerker
Kali Frost
Affiliation:
Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 500 Central Drive, West Lafayette, IN47907, USA
Hongyue Jin
Affiliation:
Department of Systems & Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona, 1127 East James E. Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ85721, USA
William Olson
Affiliation:
ASM International, 3440 E University Drive, Phoenix, AZ85034, USA
Mark Schaffer
Affiliation:
International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), 3000 RDU Center Drive, Suite 220, Morrisville, NC27560, USA
Gary Spencer
Affiliation:
Geodis Reverse Logistics, 1701 North St, Endicott, NY13760, USA
Carol Handwerker*
Affiliation:
Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 500 Central Drive, West Lafayette, IN47907, USA School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, 701 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN47907, USA
*
Address all correspondence to Carol Handwerker at [email protected]
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Abstract

A case study of hard disk drives (HDDs) and rare-earth magnets is presented to show the use of decision support tools to identify and assess the barriers and opportunities for circular business models. Pilot demonstration projects, which showcased HDD circular recovery strategies, were useful as a low-risk opportunity for business model experimentation and to build trust among key supply chain actors.

A case study of hard disk drives and rare-earth magnets is presented to show the use of decision support tools (DSTs) to assess the complex interaction of variables that must be considered when demonstrating the viability of circular business models (CBMs). A mix of quantitative and qualitative DSTs such as life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, Ostrom's Framework for social-ecological systems, decision trees, and others were implemented by the iNEMI Value Recovery Project team to overcome many of the identified barriers to circular economy. The DSTs were used to guide stakeholder coordination, create and share environmental, logistical and financial data, and generate decision-making flowcharts which promote circular economic strategies. Demonstration projects were used as a low-risk opportunity for business model experimentation and to build trust among key supply chain actors. The tools highlighted by this case study could be useful for establishing or expanding CBMs for other electronic products or components, especially components containing critical materials.

Keywords

circular economycritical materialsrare-earthsrecoveryreuserecyclingsustainabilitysupply chainlife cycle assessment
Type
Perspective
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MRS Energy & Sustainability , Volume 7 , 2020 , E22
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Copyright © Materials Research Society 2020

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