Design process and data models to support the design of sustainable remanufactured products

The need for increased levels of reuse and remanufacturing is driving the need for sustainable design of remanufactured products. It is acknowledged that design for remanufacturing benefits the environment. However, it seldom integrates eco-design approaches as it requires ‘life cycle thinking’ with closed-loop life cycles. The objective of this paper is to support eco-design of remanufactured products with design process and data models structuring the activities to be performed and providing the support required. We consider the development of two activities in particular: definition of the target, and environmental analysis. The first activity exploits the concept of RPP (Remanufacturable Product Profile), building on the criteria that are crucial for a successful remanufactured product. The second one exploits the life cycle brick concept that associates each product component with a specific life cycle and related environmental impacts. The models proposed are exploited in a case study concerning the design of remanufactured truck gearboxes.