Exploiting the scraps

Recycling is becoming an important factor in modern manufacturing, due to the need for a cleaner and healthier environment and lower production costs. In this article, the authors describe the development of a linear programming model to produce new aluminium billets of high quality by recycling aluminium scrap which is generated from local industries in Kuwait. The model determines the amount of pure materials to be added to a mix of different aluminium scraps to meet a specified standard. The model is now used by the plant managers to enhance their operational and strategic decisions.