A Review of Facility Layout Problem Methods Applied to Bi-directional Logistics Context

Facility Layout Problem has been a widely researched topic for several years, which encompasses the study of different alternatives for the arrangement of productive resources in the available space of a production plant. It is a crucial matter whose solution is essential for achieving efficiency in enterprises. On the other hand, due to the growing emphasis on product return handling, recovery processes such as recycling, and the sustainability approach of the Circular Economy, Bi-directional Logistics has emerged, becoming increasingly vital for organizations through the integration of both forward and reverse flows. It is an unexplored term, there is limited literature linking it with facility layout, and no methods focused on solving plant layout in its context have been found. For this reason, this paper aims to analyze the methods and resolution approaches established in existing literature that could be applied or adapted to address the Facility Layout Problem in a Bi-directional logistics context through a comprehensive literature review. Findings show that the reviewed methods can only be partially applied to this purpose, as they do not consider the specific factors and characteristics of Bi-directional logistics. Contrary to expectations, the focus has shifted away from specific methods such as Systematic Layout Planning. Most of the identified methods include genetic algorithms, mixed-integer nonlinear programming, and mixed-integer linear programming; these approaches primarily address material flow and building dimensions but also consider material handling and machinery requirements. This highlights a significant research gap that should be further explored.