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Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa
Vooght, D. T. 2025. Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/e11419cb-20...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614101925003264 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Vooght, Dominic Terence |
| author2 | Dorfling, Christie |
| author_browse | Dorfling, Christie Vooght, Dominic Terence |
| author_facet | Dorfling, Christie Vooght, Dominic Terence |
| author_sort | Vooght, Dominic Terence |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Vooght, D. T. 2025. Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/e11419cb-20eb-4a46-918b-0b436d7408e7 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132324 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:41.344Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132324 Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa Vooght, Dominic Terence Dorfling, Christie Akdogan, Guven Louw, Louis Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Electronic waste -- Recycling -- South Africa Lithium ion batteries -- Recycling -- South Africa Supply chain management -- Environmental aspects Reverse logistics -- South Africa UCTD Vooght, D. T. 2025. Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/e11419cb-20eb-4a46-918b-0b436d7408e7 Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is an increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in South Africa (SA) due to increased demand for consumer electronics, the growth of the renewable energy sector, and the emergence of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. There is currently limited specific legislation to mandate the collection and recycling activities of these LIBs once they reach end-of-life (EOL). Additionally, there is not a single EOL LIBs process facility in SA or on the African continent – yielding an urgent need for sustainable and viable recycling routes for EOL LIBs in SA. The aim of this study is thus to determine the optimal Reverse Logistics Network (RLN) for the recycling of EOL LIBS in the context of SA, with a focus on economic viability and environmental sustainability. RLNs for integrated EOL LIBs and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were modelled for the period of 2023 to 2033 using anyLogistix® supply chain software, considering the stages of waste material collection, dismantling, pre-treatment, hydrometallurgical processing, and local (SA) and international product distribution. Study scenarios considered variations in the hydrometallurgical processing route (mineral vs. organic acid), product types, process facility configurations (single vs. single scaled-up vs. multiple), as well as network configurations (decentralised vs. centralised facility approaches for dismantling and pre-treatment as well as hydrometallurgical process exclusion via network de-coupling). The optimal RLN configuration was determined via a combined Greenfield Analysis (GFA) and Network Optimisation (NO) approach. Following this, techno-economic analysis, carbon emission evaluation, Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and a sensitivity and break-even analysis were conducted to determine critical factors influencing RLN performance. It was concluded that an RLN configuration consisting of 212 collection centres, 9 decentralised dismantling facilities and a single, centralised hydrometallurgical process facility utilising a mineral acid-based route was found to be the optimal RLN configuration yielding a Net Present Value (NPV) of 465 million South African Rand (ZAR). This RLN configuration was determined as more economically viable than a centralised dismantling facility variation and a decentralised pre-treatment variation. Furthermore, it was concluded that WEEE dismantling and EOL LIBs pre-treatment coupled with hydrometallurgical processing was more economically viable than hydrometallurgical process exclusion. This RLN configuration also demonstrated resilience to fluctuations and potential carbon tax rate increases and displayed favourable economic performance from a carbon-cost perspective. From an MFA perspective, a mineral acid-based approach producing a Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Hydroxide (NMC) precipitate product was found to be the optimal process route as NMC, a LIB cathode precursor, is commercially utilised to produce LIBs. This RLN configuration thus facilitates a circular economy between the LIBs recycling and manufacturing sectors. A sensitivity and break-even analysis concluded that the RLN is viable at current conditions but displays sensitivity to variations in operating conditions – the quantification of which yielded key identified potential areas of risk. The findings of this study provide a solid foundation that assists practitioners in making strategic decisions regarding RLN design and integrated WEEE and EOL LIBs recycling. This is relevant not only for developing countries, but also as a solution to global recycling challenges. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Doctoral 2025-06-03T13:46:21Z 2025-06-03T13:46:21Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132324 en Stellenbosch University xx, 296 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Electronic waste -- Recycling -- South Africa Lithium ion batteries -- Recycling -- South Africa Supply chain management -- Environmental aspects Reverse logistics -- South Africa UCTD Vooght, Dominic Terence Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title | Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title_full | Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title_short | Development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium-ion battery recycling – a case analysis of South Africa |
| title_sort | development of integrated reverse logistics networks for electronic waste and lithium ion battery recycling a case analysis of south africa |
| topic | Electronic waste -- Recycling -- South Africa Lithium ion batteries -- Recycling -- South Africa Supply chain management -- Environmental aspects Reverse logistics -- South Africa UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132324 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vooghtdominicterence developmentofintegratedreverselogisticsnetworksforelectronicwasteandlithiumionbatteryrecyclingacaseanalysisofsouthafrica |