Chapter 19
Life Cycle Simulation System as a Tool
for Improving Flow Management
in Circular Manufacturing
Keito Asai, Dai Nishida, and Shozo Takata
Abstract Circular manufacturing is a system that manufactures items with multiple
circulations, that is, reuse or recycling to use these items efficiently in their life cycles.
To manage such complex systems and design circular manufacturing scenarios, an
accurate circulation flow management method and life cycle scenarios are necessary.
In this study, we developed a life cycle simulation system that is versatile enough to
improve the flow management method. Further, we applied it to lithium-ion batteries
in electric vehicles, evaluated its life cycle scenario, and improved the circulation
flow management method.
Keywords Life cycle simulation · Circular manufacturing · Multitiered
circulation · Material flow management · Value provision
19.1 Introduction
In the past, arterial and venous industries were developed separately with different
goals. The former was developed to manufacture maximum number of good quality
products within competitive costs, and the latter was developed for disposing waste
safely and efficiently (Kimura 1999). However, to achieve sustainable development
in manufacturing industries along with economic growth, we need to create values
with less resources and environmental impact. Thus, we should integrate the arterial
and venous industries in the form of circular manufacturing for using resources
efficiently. Circular manufacturing is a manufacturing system in which products,
modules, parts, and materials (collectively called items) are reused and recycled as
much as possible so that we can decrease the amount of resources and environmental
load for providing functionalities to the customers and increase profits. To realize
circular manufacturing, the life cycles of the items should be designed properly.
Accordingly, various types of life cycle options, such as closed-loop reuse, cascade
reuse, and recycling, should be introduced. However, there are numerous factors to
K. Asai (B) · D. Nishida · S. Takata
School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: keimino030526@akane.waseda.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_19
265
Life Cycle Simulation System as a Tool
for Improving Flow Management
in Circular Manufacturing
Keito Asai, Dai Nishida, and Shozo Takata
Abstract Circular manufacturing is a system that manufactures items with multiple
circulations, that is, reuse or recycling to use these items efficiently in their life cycles.
To manage such complex systems and design circular manufacturing scenarios, an
accurate circulation flow management method and life cycle scenarios are necessary.
In this study, we developed a life cycle simulation system that is versatile enough to
improve the flow management method. Further, we applied it to lithium-ion batteries
in electric vehicles, evaluated its life cycle scenario, and improved the circulation
flow management method.
Keywords Life cycle simulation · Circular manufacturing · Multitiered
circulation · Material flow management · Value provision
19.1 Introduction
In the past, arterial and venous industries were developed separately with different
goals. The former was developed to manufacture maximum number of good quality
products within competitive costs, and the latter was developed for disposing waste
safely and efficiently (Kimura 1999). However, to achieve sustainable development
in manufacturing industries along with economic growth, we need to create values
with less resources and environmental impact. Thus, we should integrate the arterial
and venous industries in the form of circular manufacturing for using resources
efficiently. Circular manufacturing is a manufacturing system in which products,
modules, parts, and materials (collectively called items) are reused and recycled as
much as possible so that we can decrease the amount of resources and environmental
load for providing functionalities to the customers and increase profits. To realize
circular manufacturing, the life cycles of the items should be designed properly.
Accordingly, various types of life cycle options, such as closed-loop reuse, cascade
reuse, and recycling, should be introduced. However, there are numerous factors to
K. Asai (B) · D. Nishida · S. Takata
School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: keimino030526@akane.waseda.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_19
265