Production planning and control for remanufacturing: a state-of-the-art survey

Remanufacturing is rapidly emerging as an important form of waste preventio n and environmentally conscious manufacturing. Firms are discovering it to be a profitable approach while at the same time enhancing their image as en vironmentally responsible, for a wide range of products. In this paper the characteristics of the remanufacturing environment are discussed first to d istinguish this environment from other manufacturing environments. The prod uction planning and control function of the remanufacturing firm is examine d in this environment. The research in the various decision-making areas th at comprise the production planning and control function is evaluated. Ther e are many areas where the research is still scant. The lack of any overall integrated framework and models for the production planning and control fu nction is noted. It is also pointed out that most firms are still grappling with these problems and do not have any formal mechanisms in place. There is a need to develop models and frameworks grounded in the problems and nee ds of these remanufacturing firms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.