Analysis of reverse logistics issues in India: Challenges of the remanufacturing process

The increased awareness of environmental issues has put immense pressure on both governments and businesses to protect our natural resources. In recent years, many businesses have effectively integrated product recapture activities into their corporate plans. One of these options is remanufacturing, which is very sustainable and profitable. In this process, discarded products are transformed into usable ones through a series of value-added activities. Many countries in the Western world have chosen remanufacturing as a way to generate income. Despite this, it is still in its infancy in India. In this study, we highlighted the most important criteria in the "Reverse Logistics" domain that is feasible to the remanufacturing industry in India. To accomplish this, we conducted a survey to collect data from employees of Indian manufacturing organizations, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. The research sample size comprised 43 responses. Responses were first analyzed statistically to identify the critical elements. Weighted scores were then calculated for the crucial factors, resulting in rankings based on their importance in starting a remanufacturing business. The research indicates that the challenge of locating used products and the location of collecting centers are the two most important considerations in reverse logistics operations. The outcomes could help the Indian government and manufacturing enterprises to develop product takeback regulations, thereby avoiding landfills, incineration, and environmental contamination.