2nd Plooto Newsletter

Αdvancing sustainability in industrial supply chains by embracing circular approaches & digital transformation.

The Plooto Partners of TUC from the indigo lab have published a paper entitled “Advancing sustainability in industrial supply chains by embracing circular approaches and digital transformation. 

Abstract: Sustainable growth has been assuredly connected with the integration of circularity, sustainability, innovation and resiliency into the value chains. Towards this path drives the recently updated European Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP, 2020), a fundamental component of Europe’s agenda for sustainability and resiliency, the European Green Deal (EU Green Deal, 2019). On the other hand, Europe foresees achieving both a green transition and digital transition during the Digital Decade, focusing mainly on high energy-consuming industrial facilities towards a net-zero industries concept. The green transition, as being reinforced by circularity, is called to accompany the digital transition towards climate neutrality, a target that has been underlined as a key requirement in the EU’s green agenda (Digital Europe, 2022). The industrial environments, as an intensive energy consumer, aspires to move towards green and digital transition, where the efficient management of resources, the need for prevention and the circular designing and planning, have shown the path towards alternative approaches, new technologies and services, and cutting-edge solutions. Digitalisation technologies, circular supply chains, secondary raw materials, integrated sustainability frameworks and standards, digital twins and cognitive digital twins, the newly introduced DPPs – Digital Product Passports, are some of the solutions and tools that assemble to facilitate a green and digital transition, considering the circular economy aspects, and targeting to resiliency and sustainability. Under this scope, the Horizon Europe Plooto project valorises on available sustainability and governance frameworks and models to design and develop an integrated methodological approach for “closing-the-loop” in industrial value chains, the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard Framework. This framework is demonstrated in three robust use cases, representing the food and manufacturing sectors. The ordinary supply chains of a citrus juice company in Greece, the processes of managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for magnets and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for drones, are assessed using the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard, to empower the business opportunities, to enhance traceability and lead to sustained value chains.

Citation: Aryblia, Maria; Sarantinoudis, Nikolaos; Tsinarakis, George; Arampatzis, George, Αdvancing sustainability in industrial supply chains by embracing circular approaches & digital transformation, INDIGO

 Link: https://www.indigo.tuc.gr/publications/

Optimization of Zero Defect Manufacturing Strategies: A Comparative Study on Simplified Modeling Approaches for Enhanced Efficiency and Accuracy.

Want to learn more for manufacturing strategies? Read the latest paper titled “Optimization of Zero Defect Manufacturing Strategies: A Comparative Study on Simplified Modeling Approaches for Enhanced Efficiency and Accuracy”.

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative analysis of three distinct Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) strategies: Detection – Repair (DR), Detection – Prevention (DP), and Prediction – Prevention (PP). We evaluated these strategies based on their effectiveness in optimizing ZDM parameters, considering the specific needs and constraints of various manufacturing setups. Our analysis found that while DR and DP simulation models closely reflected original results, PP models demonstrated lower predictability, underscoring the need for further research and specialized modeling approaches. Nonetheless, the selection of an optimal strategy was determined to be context-dependent, hinging on the characteristics of the manufacturing system. The study also highlights the necessity of validating these strategies across diverse manufacturing setups to assess their performance and suitability. This research augments the existing body of knowledge on ZDM, offering insights to drive future investigations for the development of robust, accurate, and efficient ZDM modeling techniques. The ultimate objective is to move modern manufacturing industries towards a zero-defect environment, thereby enhancing their efficiency, reliability, and overall productivity.

Citation: Foivos Psarommatis, Gokan May, Optimization of zero defect manufacturing strategies: A comparative study on simplified modeling approaches for enhanced efficiency and accuracy, Computers & Industrial Engineering, Volume 187, 2024, 109783, ISSN 0360-8352

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2023.109783

Digital Product Passport – A Pathway to Circularity and Sustainability in Modern Manufacturing.

It is our great pleasure to present you with the new paper relevant to the Plooto project. 

The open access paper entitled Digital Product Passport: A Pathway to Circularity and Sustainability in Modern Manufacturing by Foivos Psarommatis and Gökan May explores Digital Product Passport (DPP) Systems. In particularly, bellow you can find the paper abstract as well as the link to the Sustainability Journal where it was published. 

Abstract: The primary aim of this study is to explore and understand the potential benefits and applications of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) system within the modern manufacturing industry. To achieve this, we developed a unique methodology, model, and a template for creating a DPP, identifying the key characteristics essential for effective implementation. Our approach involved an analysis of the literature and the formulation of a unified DPP framework, tailored to enhance supply chain transparency and support sustainable manufacturing practices. The empirical findings from our research demonstrate the DPP’s impact on supply chain transparency, providing crucial product lifecycle information that bolsters decision-making and facilitates optimal resource management. Additionally, our study suggests that the DPP model, when applied to sectors such as electronics manufacturing, promises transformative results. This research underpins the pivotal role of DPPs in the future of manufacturing, highlighting their potential to catalyze a shift towards greater transparency and sustainability. Actionable guidelines are provided for manufacturers considering the adoption of this innovative system.

Citation: Psarommatis, F.; May, G. Digital Product Passport: A Pathway to Circularity and Sustainability in Modern Manufacturing. Sustainability 2024, 16, 396. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/su16010396

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/1/396