A multi-objective approach for designing a tire closed-loop supply chain network considering producer responsibility

For tire manufacturers to remain profitable while fulfilling environmental and social obligations such as producer responsibility, the opportunity lies in designing a tire Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) which combines forward and reverse supply chains. In this paper, a new multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to configure and optimize a multi-echelon, multi-product, multi-period tire CLSC network based on multiple recovery options and markets. For one of the objectives of the model, the weighting factors (importance) of suppliers are determined according to a unique framework of qualitative criteria. In this respect, a novel decision-making method based on Spherical fuzzy logic is developed. Finally, the solution approach is devised based on the formulation of the augmented e-constraint method for finding efficient solutions. The application of the model is illustrated focusing on the region of Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. The optimal quantities for the flows of products, and number and locations of open facilities of the network are computed. The results show that the selected suppliers and allocated orders from them are impacted by considering multiple objectives. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a new model for designing and optimizing a tire closed-loop supply chain network, taking into account multiple objectives. The model uses a decision-making method based on spherical fuzzy logic to determine the weighting factors of suppliers. By applying this model, optimal quantities for product flows and the number and locations of network facilities are computed in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada.