Sustainable Supply Chain Models for Polymer and Composite Manufacturing: A Data-Driven Assessment of Circular Material Flows

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 02 | Page : 54 71
    By

    Vivek Hamal,

  • Pravin Kumar,

  • Sarita Murmu,

  • Aparna Chakraborty,

  • Saheb Debnath,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Polymer and composite manufacturing is faced with growing demands in waste reduction, resource management, and making a shift towards circular economy principles. Although urgent, the adoption of data-driven tools in each step of a supply chain to facilitate efficient cyclic material flows is low. This paper designs and empirically analyzes sustainable supply chain design in polymer and composite production with a focus on digital traceability, closed-loop and material recovery, and performance-based decision-making. The study explored the effect of Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI), and life-cycle assessment (LCA) on transparency, recovery efficiency, and supply chain resilience through the use of a mixed-methods research design, which involves industrial data analytics, interviews with experts, and case-based simulations. Indeed, empirical evidence shows that companies that have implemented digital traceability systems have 12–15% greater material recovery rates and better responsiveness in reverse logistics, and that thermoplastics recover significantly more than thermoset composites. The optimization models also show that there can be some logistics costs and emissions reduction by redesigning a closed-loop network. The study contributes an evidence-based, validated framework that integrates the ideas of the circular economy with digital technologies and offers practical implications to manufacturing firms, recyclers, and logistics to enhance the sustainability, flexibility of operations, and cost-efficiency of the use of composite supply chains

Keywords: Circular polymer supply chains, digital traceability, material recovery and recycling, sustainable manufacturing, AI-enabled decision-making.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer & Composites ]

How to cite this article:
Vivek Hamal, Pravin Kumar, Sarita Murmu, Aparna Chakraborty, Saheb Debnath. Sustainable Supply Chain Models for Polymer and Composite Manufacturing: A Data-Driven Assessment of Circular Material Flows. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):54-71.
How to cite this URL:
Vivek Hamal, Pravin Kumar, Sarita Murmu, Aparna Chakraborty, Saheb Debnath. Sustainable Supply Chain Models for Polymer and Composite Manufacturing: A Data-Driven Assessment of Circular Material Flows. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):54-71. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239434


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Issue 02
Received 17/12/2025
Accepted 23/02/2026
Published 11/03/2026
Publication Time 84 Days
23

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