Closed-Loop Supply Chains for Spent Batteries

In Germany, a battery decree prescribes measures for collecting and recycling spent batteries. We developed a hybrid approach to establishing a closed-loop supply chain for spent batteries that combines an optimization model for planning a reverse-supply network and a flow-sheeting process model that enables a simulation tailored to potential recycling options for spent batteries in the steelmaking industry. Our results show that almost complete recycling of spent batteries can be achieved by transforming the current structure into a modified recovery network.