Remanufacturing is the process which allows a company in the field to use defective or old products and give them a second chance. These products get separated in different parts, they receive thorough cleaning, and then, they are reassembled and returned to the market. If possible, when any of the parts is defective, it gets repaired and it will still be used for the final product. Whenever this is not possible, it gets replaced by a new part. This allows to create new qualitative products using the same resources.
The typical consumer’s psychological preference for new rather than refurbished products is a fact that provides barriers against an extensive and well-integrated remanufacturing industry. Consumers are a little sceptic to buy a remanufactured product, especially when it comes to food preparation (e.g., a food processor) or personal care (electrical toothbrush). Indeed, these products might initially be dirty before they enter the process of remanufacturing. However, they will be sterilised extensively in order to ensure hygiene standards and to protect the consumer’s health.
Let’s continue to the next unit and see how we can extend the life of a product and how remanufacturing but also recycling are good practices to be used by companies.
