Automation in Inventory Redistribution within a Hybrid Supply Chain with Reverse Logistics: A Heuristic Approach Based on Business Rules

Efficient management of empty glass bottle collection from distribution facilities to central processing units in reverse logistics reduces operational costs and supports environmental sustainability. This study examines a practical business case within a hybrid closed-loop supply chain, where new products replace losses, breakages, or wear to maintain a steady supply across processing centers. This ensures a continuous flow of materials essential for preventing production disruptions and avoiding bottlenecks when integrating new products. To address these challenges, the study focuses on scheduling material collection with two primary objectives: preventing stock short-ages that could disrupt production due to insufficient bottles and avoiding congestion at facilities where new products are introduced. The proposed approach integrates real-time analysis of manufacturing data, return flows, center saturation levels, and inter-center transportation with heuristic-based decision-making for transport selection between centers. The computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the automation process, ensuring timely material movement and improving overall supply chain efficiency.