Sustainable manufacturing,life cycle thinking and the circular economy

Achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our society today. The de-mand for more safe environmentally benign products is rising and many companies are looking for new ways to progressively improve the sus-tainability of their products. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities and countless innovations, technological as well as non-technologi-cal,that need to be exploited to improve the sustainability of products. Manufacturing industry is an important sector of any economy and hasthe potential to become a driving force for enabling sustainable patterns of production and consumption through introducing efficient productionpractices and developing products and services that help reduce environmental impacts. The benefits of adopting an integrated policy towardsproduct development based on life cycle thinking and eco-design to stimulate improvement of the environmental performance of each part ofproduct life cycle phases and achieve sustainable patterns of production and consumption are emphasized. The challenges in implementingsustainable manufacturing and the circular economy approaches are listed. A number of solutions are suggested to face up these challenges,for instance, increased awareness of enterprises particularly SME's of product life cycle issues and the opportunities that are available for costsavings and profit making from eco-innovation in product development for both the domestic and export markets and providing practical helpand advice directly to enterprises on integrated product development to promote enterprise led Eco-innovation. Aiming at contributing to sus-tainable manufacturing in China, Sino-UK Low Carbon Manufacturing Consortium, a multi-disciplinary research and educational partnershipbetween academia, industry and government agencies in the UK and China with interest in sustainable manufacturing issues, has been formedrecently.The vision, aims and benefits of membership of the consortium are also discussed.

Multiscale Characterization of Automotive Surface Coating Formation for Sustainable Manufacturing

Automotive surface coating manufacturing is one of the most sophisticated and expensive steps in automotive assembly. This step involves generating multiple thin layers of polymeric coatings on the vehicle surface through paint spray and curing in a multistage, dynamically changing environment. Traditionally, the quality control is solely post-process inspection based, and process operational adjustment is only experience based, thus the manufacturing may not be （highly） sustainable. In this article, a multiscale system modeling and analysis methodology is introduced for achieving a sustainable application of polymeric materials through paint spray and film curing in automotive surface coating manufacturing. By this methodology, the correlations among paint material, application processes and coating performance can be identified. The model-based analysis allows a comprehensive and deep study of the dynamic behaviors of the material, process, and product in a wide spectrum of length and time. Case studies illustrate the efficacy of the methodology for sustainable manufacturing.

Strategic Green Supply Chain Based on Circular Economy——A New View for Sustainable Manufacturing in China

Due to recent changing environmental requirements affecting manufacturing operations,increasing attention is given to developing environmental management strategies for the supply chain. This paper discusses the strategies of green supply chain based on the concept of circular economy which was promoted in China as a new development strategy to alleviate the shortage of resource supply by improving the resource productivity and eco-efficiency of production and consumption,which will accelerate the economic transformation from the traditional supply chain to the green supply chain.

APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING

Sustainable development is a holistic approach harmonizing ecological, economical and socio-political needs with respect to the superior objective of enhancing human living standards. Thereby the availability of natural resources and the conservation of the ecosystems have to be considered that future generations have the possibility to meet their own needs. A long-term economical development demands the transition from a souree-sink economy to a cycle economy as a result of limited resources, limited environmental capacities to absorb waste and emissions as well as increasing needs of a growing population. A reference model for snstainability in manufacturing is presented and used to illustrate sustainable approaches with respect to management, technology, process and product. Adaptation of products and components is a vital element for supporting efficient reuse of products and components. Consequently adaptation contributes to the ambitions goals of snstainability. Technological enablers for adaptation as modularity, information and communication technology are exemplarily introduced. Moreover, approaches for disseminating knowledge in sustainability are given.

Sustainable manufacturing for obsolete computers based on 3R engineering

The volume tendency of in-use and end-of-life computers in China were analyzed; the emerging danger of obsolete computers by incorrect treatment was summarized; the integration disposal technologies based on 3R (recycle, remanufacture and reuse) engineering aiming at monitors, electronic devices, metals, plastics materials, and overall computers were put forward; the economic and social benefits were also analyzed. The results show that the integration disposal process of obsolete computer is an optimum approach to save the resource of electromechanical products. Remanufacturing and disposal 100 thousand obsolete computers per year can create profits about RMB10million yuan and provide employment for 300 persons. It can be deduced that there are great potential opportunities for the obsolete computers disposal industry containing recycle, remanufacture and reuse engineering.

Nano-enhanced biolubricant in sustainable manufacturing:From processability to mechanisms

To eliminate the negative effect of traditional metal-working fluids and achieve sustainable manufacturing,the usage of nano-enhanced biolubricant(NEBL)is widely researched in minimum quantify lubrication(MQL)machining.It's improved tool wear and surface integrity have been preliminarily verified by experimental studies.The previous review papers also concluded the major influencing factors of processability including nano-enhancer and lubricant types,NEBL concentration,micro droplet size,and so on.Nevertheless,the complex action of NEBL,from preparation,atomization,infiltration to heat transfer and anti-friction,is indistinct which limits preparation of process specifications and popularity in factories.Especially in the complex machining process,in-depth understanding is difficult and meaningful.To fll this gap,this paper concentrates on the comprehensive quantitative assessment of processability based on tribological,thermal,and machined surface quality aspects for NEBL application in turning,milling,and grinding.Then it attempts to answer mechanisms systematically considering multi-factor influence of molecular structure,physicochemical properties,concentration,and dispersion.Firstly,this paper reveals advanced lubrication and heat transfer mechanisms of NEBL by quantitative comparison with biolubricant-based MQL machining.Secondly,the distinctive filmformation,atomization,and infiltration mechanisms of NEBL,as distinguished from metal-working fluid,are clarified combining with its unique molecular structure and physical properties.Furtherly,the process optimization strategy is concluded based on the synergistic relationship analysis among process variables,physicochemical properties,machining mechanisms,and performance of NEBL.Finally,the future development directions are put forward aiming at current performance limitations of NEBL,which requires improvement on preparation and jet methods respects.This paper will help scientists deeply understand effective mechanism,formulate process specifications,and find future development trend of this technology.

Fuzzy analytic network process(FANP)approach in formulating infrastructural decisions of sustainable manufacturing strategy

This paper explores a fuzzy analytic network process(FANP)approach in identifying the content of manufacturing strategy infrastructural decisions that integrates sustainability and classical manufacturing strategy framework with firm size component.The findings are as follows:(1)firms must ensure highquality product requirements with a make-to-order production system;(2)large firms must prioritize decentralization of functional areas but they must also provide higher systems integration of all production-related information to mobilize better communication channels;(3)large firms must employ highly skilled human resources in order to provide strong support on functional areas;and(4)small and medium enterprises must focus on product introduction to the market as a strategy priority area.The main contribution of this paper is the decision-making framework under uncertainty that holistically identifies the decisions that comprise a sustainable manufacturing strategy which may serve as guidelines in improving existing sustainable manufacturing practices or in creating new ones.

Energy Consumption Analysis and Characterization of Aerospace Manufacturing Facilities in the United States–A Step towards Sustainable Development

In this study,information on energy usage in the United States(U.S.)aerospace manufacturing sector has been analyzed and then represented as energy intensities(kWh/m2)to establish benchmark data and to compare facilities of varying sizes.First,public sources were identified and the data from these previously published sources were aggregated to determine the energy usage of aerospace manufacturing facilities within the U.S.From this dataset,a sample of 28 buildings were selected and the energy intensity for each building was estimated from the data.Next,as a part of this study the energy data for three additional aerospace manufacturing facilities in the U.S.were collected firsthand.That data was analyzed and the energy intensity(kWh/m2)for each facility was calculated and then compared with the energy intensities of the 28 buildings from the sample.Three different indicators of energy consumption in aerospace manufacturing facilities were used as comparators to assist facility managers with determining potential energy savings and help in the decision-making process.On average,aerospace manufacturing facilities in the United States spent 4 cents for each dollar of sale on energy.The energy intensity(kWh/m2)and the power intensity(W/m2)for each facility were calculated based on the actual facility energy bills.The power intensity for these facilities ranges from 34 to 134 W/m2.The energy intensity ranged from 232 to 949 kWh/m2.We found that the power intensity could be used to estimate energy consumption when the annual operating hours of the facility are considered.and to estimate the energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.

A Hybrid WSVM-Levy Approach for Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Using Big Data and IoT

In Intelligent Manufacturing,Big Data and industrial information enable enterprises to closely monitor and respond to precise changes in both internal processes and external environmental factors,ensuring more informed decision-making and adaptive system management.It also promotes decision making and provides scientific analysis to enhance the efficiency of the operation,cost reduction,maximizing the process of production and so on.Various methods are employed to enhance productivity,yet achieving sustainable manufacturing remains a complex challenge that requires careful consideration.This study aims to develop a methodology for effective manufacturing sustainability by proposing a novel Hybrid Weighted Support Vector-based Lévy flight(HWS-LF)algorithm.The objective of the HWS-LF method is to improve the environmental,economic,and social aspects of manufacturing processes.In this approach,Support Vector Machines(SVM)are used to classify data points by identifying the optimal hyperplane to separate different classes,thereby supporting predictive maintenance and quality control in manufacturing.Random Forest is applied to boost efficiency,resource allocation,and production optimization.A Weighted Average Ensemble technique is employed to combine predictions from multiple models,assigning different weights to ensure an accurate system for evaluating manufacturing performance.Additionally,Lévy flight Optimization is incorporated to enhance the performance of the HWS-LF method further.The method’s effectiveness is assessed using various evaluation metrics,including accuracy,precision,recall,F1-score,and specificity.Results show that the proposed HWS-LF method outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques,demonstrating superior productivity and system performance.

Additive manufacturing of sustainable biomaterials for biomedical applications

Biopolymers are promising environmentally benign materials applicable in multifarious applications.They are especially favorable in implantable biomedical devices thanks to their excellent unique properties,including bioactivity,renewability,bioresorbability,biocompatibility,biodegradability and hydrophilicity.Additive manufacturing(AM)is a flexible and intricate manufacturing technology,which is widely used to fabricate biopolymer-based customized products and structures for advanced healthcare systems.Three-dimensional(3D)printing of these sustainable materials is applied in functional clinical settings including wound dressing,drug delivery systems,medical implants and tissue engineering.The present review highlights recent advancements in different types of biopolymers,such as proteins and polysaccharides,which are employed to develop different biomedical products by using extrusion,vat polymerization,laser and inkjet 3D printing techniques in addition to normal bioprinting and four-dimensional(4D)bioprinting techniques.It also incorporates the influence of nanoparticles on the biological and mechanical performances of 3D-printed tissue scaffolds,and addresses current challenges as well as future developments of environmentally friendly polymeric materials manufactured through the AMtechniques.Ideally,there is a need for more focused research on the adequate blending of these biodegradable biopolymers for achieving useful results in targeted biomedical areas.We envision that biopolymer-based 3D-printed composites have the potential to revolutionize the biomedical sector in the near future.

Financial crisis and sustainable development of Chinese manufacturing industry

Sub-prime lending crisis has become an international fi nancial crisis, which is evolving into an economic recession sweeping across the West. Financial crisis leads to the demand reduction in western countries, and as the largest manufacturing country, China must face overproduction. The role of China as "world factory" determines that fi nancial crisis will severely attack Chinese manufacturing industry. The unsustainable development of Chinese manufacturing industry is mainly reflected in the following aspects: heavy dependence on export, low-level manufacturing link, lack of modern service industry and high-tech industry, weak independent innovative ability, unsustainable exploration of heavy-pollution resources, and lack of international famous brands. How to transform crisis to opportunities is an urgent research topic. Under the circumstance of financial crisis, Chinese manufacturing industry has more external drives to change the current situation. Therefore, financial crisis becomes not only an opportunity for Chinese manufacturing industry to improve itself based on the existing accumulation but also a chance for China to transform from "world factory" into a powerful nation of manufacturing industry in the world.

Reflection and Study on the Transfer of International Manufacturing Industries and Chinese Sustainable Development

Ever since the 1960s, especially 1980s, under the background of quickening pace of economic globalization and the regional division of labor around the world, the transfer of manufacturing industries among countries and areas gets great momentum and impetus. During 20-plus years in which China has adopted the policy of opening-up and reforming, our country has played an active role in taking part in the transfer of manufacturing industries. It advances the structural change of national manufacturing industries, accelerates national industrialism and promotes the comprehensive development of regional economics. In this paper, the author makes some initial study on the regularity of transfer of International manufacturing industries, discusses the profound impact of such shift on our national resources, environment, economics and society, and also proposes corresponding suggestions on how to implement the strategy of sustainable development in the process of the shift.

最少量润滑切削技术(MQL)——经济有效的绿色制造方法

综述了由切削液引起的人体病理现象;综合分析了替代或减少切削液用量的干切削、低温冷却、冷风冷却等绿色加工技术的加工效率、经济性及环境友好性;提出最少量润滑切削技术(MQL)是实现清洁、高效制造的最佳工艺方法。

Machinability Investigation and Optimization of Process Parameters in Cryogenic Assisted Sustainable Turning of AISI‑L6 Tool Steel

The application of cutting fluid is significantly increased in the machining sector to improve productivity.However,the inherent characteristics of cutting fluids on ecology,environment,and society shift the interest of researchers to work on environmentally friendly cooling conditions such as cryogenic cooling.Here,the effect of cutting speed and feed rate on the machining performance of the AISI‑L6 tool steel is investigated under cryogenic cooling conditions.Then,the L9 Taguchi based grey relational analysis(GRA)is conducted to investigate the essential machining indices such as cutting energy,surface roughness,tool wear,and material removal rate(MRR).The results indicate that the cutting speed of 160 m/min and feed rate of 0.16 mm/r are the optimum parameters that significantly improves the machining performance of AISI‑L6 tool steel.

Using lean methodologies for economically and environmentally sustainable foundries

Lean manufacturing is often seen as a set of tools that reduce the total cost and improve the quality of manufactured products.The lean management philosophy is one which targets waste reduction in every facet of the manufacturing business;however,only recently have studies linked lean management philosophies with improving environmental sustainability.These studies suggest that lean manufacturing is more than a set of lean tools that can optimize manufacturing efficiencies;it is a process and mindset that needs to be integrated into daily manufacturing systems to achieve sustainability.The foundry industry,as well as manufacturing in general,has significant challenges in the current regulatory and political climate with developing an economically and environmentally sustainable business model.Lean manufacturing has proven itself as a model for both economic sustainability and environmental stewardship.Several recent studies have shown that both lean and green techniques and "zero-waste" policies also lead to reductions in overall cost.While these strategies have been examined for general manufacturing,they have not been investigated in detail for the foundry industry.This paper will review the current literature and describe how lean and green can provide a relevant framework for environmentally and economically sustainable foundries.Examples of lean and green technologies and techniques which can be applied to foundries in a global context will be described.

Production System Optimization, Automation and Sustainability in Manufacturing of Crankshaft

A multistage automated production system for crankshafts under sustainability considerations is presented.The advanced methodologies presented here will reduce cost and improve productivity.The optimum parameters for operations are calculated for the minimum cost of operation.The manufacturing automation is illustrated through a production system design showing the specification of machine tools,total energy consumption and total carbon dioxide emission.

Sustainable Production of Surfactants from Renewable Resources

Surfactants are important chemical products,serving as emulsifiers and interfacial modifiers in the household detergents,personal care products,paints and coatings,foods,cosmetics,and pharmaceuticals industries.This review focuses upon recent advances in research and development to improve the ecological sustainability of surfactants throughout their life cycle,including derivation from renewable resources,production using green manufacturing principles,and improved biocompatibility and biodegradability during their consumer use and disposal stages.Biobased surfactants,derived from vegetable oils,polysaccharides,proteins,phospholipids,and other renewable resources,currently comprise approximately 24%of the surfactant market,and this percentage is expected to increase,especially in Asia.The use of renewables is attractive to consumers because of reduced production of CO2,a greenhouse gas associated with climate change.Enzymes can greatly increase process sustainability,through reduced use of organic solvent,water,and energy,and reduced formation of by-products and waste products.Among the enzymes being investigated for surfactant synthesis,lipases are the most robust,due to their relatively high biocatalytic activity,operational stability and their ability to form or cleave ester,amide,and thioester bonds.For enzymes to be robust catalysts of surfactants,further research and development is needed to improve catalytic productivity,stability and reduce their purchase cost.

The Impact of Lean Manufacturing Practices on Sustainability Performance:A Natural Resource-Based View

Drawing upon a Natural Resource-Based View(NRBV),this paper aims to propose a quantitative model that could be used to investigate whether Lean Manufacturing(LM)practices/tools can improve the three aspects of corporate sustainability performance(economic,environmental,and social).This paper is based on a theoretical study to develop a new model by reviewing the literature and proposing new ideas according to the Natural Resource-Based View(NRBV).Reviewing the literature showed that there is a significant association between LM practices/tools implementation and the improvement on three aspects of corporate sustainability performance(economic,environmental,and social).This paper provides insights to manufacturing managers about the ability of LM practices to reduce cost of operations and maximize the value provided to customers.Further,it highlighted the importance of LM practices implementation to manage organizations’activities responsibly in terms of their environmental,social,and economic effects.By proposing such a quantitative model according to a NRBV,this study contributes to a broader understanding of how LM practices affect three pillars of sustainability.

Textile “Dream Team” plays a new chapter of sustainable development

At the "two sessions" this year, revitalizing the real economy has become the hot topic of discussion among delegates. As the active manufacturing industry in China's real economy, how to achieve high-quality development in the transition has attracted much attention.

Sustainable Textile Industry:An Overview

The purpose of this study was to offer a general concept and overview of the textile industry’s environmental sustainability assessment.The textile and garment industries cause environmental damage at every stage of manufacturing,from the cultivation of raw materials through the disposal of finished goods.Chemical loading,high water consumption,high energy consumption,air pollution,solid waste,and odour creation are all key environmental concerns in the textile industry.To achieve sustainable production,it is necessary to examine the performance of the textile sector while considering the three elements of sustainability.To study and locate recent and related works,five keywords were used:environmental;sustainability;eco-design;manufacturer;supply chain management.All through the life cycle of textile products,the textile sector has a substantial environmental impact.This paper illustrates how the textile industry may use strategic ways to improve ecologically sustainable textile product usage and manufacturing.A discussion is focused on how to be increased sustainability in the textile industry.This paper introduces key principles for ecologically sustainable business practices to consider(e.g.,eco-design,corporate social responsibility,and green supply chain management).It is critical that all stakeholders in the textile industry,including consumers,producers,environmental protection is emphasized in the manufacture and use of textile goods by the distribution chain and customers.