IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/circec/v5y2025i3d10.1007_s43615-025-00509-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Designing Sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Based on a Circular Economy Approach: Under Uncertainty During the Post-COVID Era

Author

Listed:
  • Sina Abbasi

    (Islamic Azad University)

  • Shayan Rokhva

    (Tarbiat Modares University)

  • Kazem Farahmand

    (Ferdowsi University of Mashhad)

  • Peiman Ghasemi

    (University of Vienna)

  • Erfan Shahab

    (Toronto Metropolitan University)

Abstract

Sustainable closed-loop supply chain networks (SCLSCNs) are a key component of the circular economy and aim to reduce waste and increase resource efficiency. The multi-product SCLSCN under uncertainty during the post-COVID pandemic is presented in this study. After establishing a mathematical model for the design of a closed-loop network (CLN), a series of potential scenarios are used to account for parameter uncertainty. In this paper, a hybrid metaheuristic method is proposed to tackle this NP-hard problem for solving the multi-objective (MO) optimization. We refer to the hybrid algorithm as HWS (a hybrid method of WOA and SA). It is an optimizer that uses the relatively new whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and the widely used simulated annealing (SA) technique. Hybrid metaheuristics are one of the most interesting current trends in MO optimization. The aim of utilizing SA is to increase the yield by searching the most promising regions found by the WOA algorithm. Analytical and numerical data are given to illustrate the reliability and suitability of the proposed model using real case studies in the electronics industry. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess how consumer demand affects different aspects of sustainability. The results emphasize that the achievement of economic, environmental, and social goals is significantly affected by COVID-19. The scope of the economic aspect thus tends to increase with increasing changes in customer demand in the post-COVID-19. The bad social effects increased due to the number of days lost due to illness. These effects continue in the post-disaster period. On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have decreased due to lockdowns during the disaster, leading to greater health and it continues after COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Sina Abbasi & Shayan Rokhva & Kazem Farahmand & Peiman Ghasemi & Erfan Shahab, 2025. "Designing Sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Based on a Circular Economy Approach: Under Uncertainty During the Post-COVID Era," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 2229-2271, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-025-00509-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-025-00509-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43615-025-00509-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43615-025-00509-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Goli, Alireza, 2024. "Efficient optimization of robust project scheduling for industry 4.0: A hybrid approach based on machine learning and meta-heuristic algorithms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    2. Dexiang Yang & Lei Zhang & Ying Wu & Sidai Guo & Hua Zhang & Lijian Xiao, 2018. "A Sustainability Analysis on Retailer’s Sales Effort in A Closed-Loop Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Ivanov, Dmitry & Keskin, Burcu B., 2023. "Post-pandemic adaptation and development of supply chain viability theory," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Prasanta Kumar Dey & Chrisovaladis Malesios & Debashree De & Pawan Budhwar & Soumyadeb Chowdhury & Walid Cheffi, 2020. "Circular economy to enhance sustainability of small and medium‐sized enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2145-2169, September.
    5. Alvand Sadeghi & Hassan Mina & Niloofar Bahrami, 2020. "A mixed integer linear programming model for designing a green closed-loop supply chain network considering location-routing problem," International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 36(2), pages 177-198.
    6. El-Awady Attia & Ali Alarjani & Md. Sharif Uddin & Ahmed Farouk Kineber, 2023. "Determining the Stationary Enablers of Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-23, February.
    7. Rocío González-Sánchez & Davide Settembre-Blundo & Anna Maria Ferrari & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2020. "Main Dimensions in the Building of the Circular Supply Chain: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-25, March.
    8. Ghadimi, Pezhman & Ghassemi Toosi, Farshad & Heavey, Cathal, 2018. "A multi-agent systems approach for sustainable supplier selection and order allocation in a partnership supply chain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 269(1), pages 286-301.
    9. repec:plo:pone00:0178723 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Leila Saari & Katri Valkokari & Jorge Tiago Martins & Federica Acerbi, 2024. "Circular Economy Matrix Guiding Manufacturing Industry Companies towards Circularity—A Multiple Case Study Perspective," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(4), pages 2505-2530, December.
    11. Wang Dongfang & Pablo Ponce & Zhang Yu & Katerine Ponce & Muhammad Tanveer, 2022. "The future of industry 4.0 and the circular economy in Chinese supply chain: In the Era of post-COVID-19 pandemic," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 342-356, June.
    12. Ahn, Yu-Chan & Lee, In-Beum & Lee, Kun-Hong & Han, Jee-Hoon, 2015. "Strategic planning design of microalgae biomass-to-biodiesel supply chain network: Multi-period deterministic model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 528-542.
    13. Jie Jian & Yu Guo & Lin Jiang & Yanyan An & Jiafu Su, 2019. "A Multi-Objective Optimization Model for Green Supply Chain Considering Environmental Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-20, October.
    14. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Andrea Appolloni & Horst Treiblmaier & Mohammad Iranmanesh, 2023. "Circular Economy Research in the COVID-19 Era: a Review and the Road Ahead," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 2127-2157, December.
    15. Alireza Goli & Ali Ala & Seyedali Mirjalili, 2023. "A robust possibilistic programming framework for designing an organ transplant supply chain under uncertainty," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 328(1), pages 493-530, September.
    16. Zhen, Wei & Zhong, Zhangqi & Wang, Yichen & Miao, Lu & Qin, Quande & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2019. "Evolution of urban household indirect carbon emission responsibility from an inter-sectoral perspective: A case study of Guangdong, China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 197-207.
    17. Tsai Chi Kuo & Yile Lee, 2019. "Using Pareto Optimization to Support Supply Chain Network Design within Environmental Footprint Impact Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, January.
    18. Rizwan Shoukat, 2024. "Integrated supply chain plan under multiple distribution networks: an implementation of mixed integer linear programming," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(4), pages 2599-2623, December.
    19. Fan Wang & Xiaopo Zhuo & Baozhuang Niu, 2016. "Sustainability Analysis and Buy-Back Coordination in a Fashion Supply Chain with Price Competition and Demand Uncertainty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-15, December.
    20. Ali Pedram & Payam Pedram & Nukman Bin Yusoff & Shahryar Sorooshian, 2017. "Development of closed–loop supply chain network in terms of corporate social responsibility," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, April.
    21. Zhengyang Hu & Viren Parwani & Guiping Hu, 2021. "Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design under Uncertainties Using Fuzzy Decision Making," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-16, March.
    22. Athanasios Rentizelas & Nikoletta Trivyza & Sarah Oswald & Stefan Siegl, 2022. "Reverse supply network design for circular economy pathways of wind turbine blades in Europe," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(6), pages 1795-1814, March.
    23. Li, Qi & Hu, Guiping, 2014. "Supply chain design under uncertainty for advanced biofuel production based on bio-oil gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 576-584.
    24. Zografakis, Nikolaos & Gillas, Konstantinos & Pollaki, Antrianna & Profylienou, Maroulitsa & Bounialetou, Fanouria & Tsagarakis, Konstantinos P., 2011. "Assessment of practices and technologies of energy saving and renewable energy sources in hotels in Crete," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 1323-1328.
    25. Monrudee Theeraworawit & Suparak Suriyankietkaew & Philip Hallinger, 2022. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management in a Circular Economy: A Bibliometric Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-21, July.
    26. Govindan, Kannan & Salehian, Farhad & Kian, Hadi & Hosseini, Seyed Teimoor & Mina, Hassan, 2023. "A location-inventory-routing problem to design a circular closed-loop supply chain network with carbon tax policy for achieving circular economy: An augmented epsilon-constraint approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    27. Jannie Coenen & Rob E. C. M. Heijden & Allard C. R. Riel, 2023. "Expediting the Implementation of Closed-Loop Supply Chain Management: a Facilitated Case Study on Re-using Timber in Construction Projects," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 93-124, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shahryar Sorooshian & Sina Fazel Khiavi & Farzane Karimi & Hassan Mina, 2024. "Link between sustainable circular supply chain and Internet of Things technology in electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry: A business strategy optimization for pickup and delivery," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8211-8232, December.
    2. Yılmaz Balaman, Şebnem & Wright, Daniel G. & Scott, James & Matopoulos, Aristides, 2018. "Network design and technology management for waste to energy production: An integrated optimization framework under the principles of circular economy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 911-933.
    3. Govindan, Kannan & Naieni Fard, Fereshteh Sadeghi & Asgari, Fahimeh & Sorooshian, Shahryar & Mina, Hassan, 2024. "A Bi-objective location-routing model for the healthcare waste management in the era of logistics 4.0 under uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    4. Rohit Agrawal & Vishal A. Wankhede & Anil Kumar & Sunil Luthra, 2021. "Analysing the roadblocks of circular economy adoption in the automobile sector: Reducing waste and environmental perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1051-1066, February.
    5. Aziz Barhmi & Omar Hajaji, 2023. "Multidisciplinary Approach to Supply Chain Resilience: Conceptualization and Scale Development," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(5), pages 43-69.
    6. Deyan Yang & Jinyong Wang & Dongping Song, 2019. "Channel Structure Strategies of Supply Chains with Varying Green Cost and Governmental Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    7. Sathish Anumula & Vijaykumar Krishnapillai & Dileep Kumar Rai & Shuvdeep Bhattacharya & Prasad Nagella, 2025. "Sustainability & Circular Economy in Manufacturing Supply Chains: Prioritizing Low-Carbon Production, Scope 3 Emissions, and Circular Models for ESG Compliance," International Journal of Supply Chain and Logistics, CARI Journals Limited, vol. 9(9), pages 51-63.
    8. Emmanuel Susitha & Amila Jayarathne & H M R P Herath, 2025. "Stitching competition with digital threads: Unveiling the drivers of competitive success in the apparel sector," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(6), pages 1-37, June.
    9. Kwon, Oseok & Han, Jeehoon, 2021. "Waste-to-bioethanol supply chain network: A deterministic model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    10. Jeff Mangers & Meysam Minoufekr & Peter Plapper & Sri Kolla, 2021. "An Innovative Strategy Allowing a Holistic System Change towards Circular Economy within Supply-Chains," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    11. Pina Puntillo & Carmela Gulluscio & Donald Huisingh & Stefania Veltri, 2021. "Reevaluating waste as a resource under a circular economy approach from a system perspective: Findings from a case study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 968-984, February.
    12. Fareri, Silvia & Apreda, Riccardo & Mulas, Valentina & Alonso, Ruben, 2023. "The worker profiler: Assessing the digital skill gaps for enhancing energy efficiency in manufacturing," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    13. Howard, Mickey & Böhm, Steffen & Eatherley, Dan, 2022. "Systems resilience and SME multilevel challenges: A place-based conceptualization of the circular economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 757-768.
    14. Ahmad, Farhan & Bask, Anu & Laari, Sini & Robinson, Craig V., 2023. "Business management perspectives on the circular economy: Present state and future directions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    15. Laura Virta & Riikka Räisänen, 2021. "Three Futures Scenarios of Policy Instruments for Sustainable Textile Production and Consumption as Portrayed in the Finnish News Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    16. Ángela Triguero & María C. Cuerva & Francisco J. Sáez‐Martínez, 2022. "Closing the loop through eco‐innovation by European firms: Circular economy for sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2337-2350, July.
    17. Roberto Hernández-Chea & Akriti Jain & Nancy M. P. Bocken & Anjula Gurtoo, 2021. "The Business Model in Sustainability Transitions: A Conceptualization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, May.
    18. Andrés Lorente de las Casas & Ivelina Mirkova & Francisco J. Ramos-Real, 2021. "Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Possible Energy Sustainability Solutions in the Hotels of the Canary Islands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    19. Hala Hmamed & Anass Cherrafi & Asmaa Benghabrit & Sunil Tiwari & Pankaj Sharma, 2024. "The adoption of I4.0 technologies for a sustainable and circular supply chain: an industry‐based SEM analysis from the textile sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2949-2968, May.
    20. Kutaula, Smirti & Gillani, Alvina & Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Christodoulides, Paul, 2022. "Integrating fair trade with circular economy: Personality traits, consumer engagement, and ethically-minded behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1087-1102.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-025-00509-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.