A Grey-Fuzzy Programming Approach towards Socio-Economic Optimization of Second-Generation Biodiesel Supply Chains

Abstract

This study aims to develop a multi-objective second-generation-based socially responsible supply chain (SGB-SRSC) network design model that considers all dimensions of sustainability: economy, environment, and social. The dynamic nature of the biodiesel supply chain (SC) impairs the SGB-SRSC model decisions; thus, a grey-fuzzy solution approach is developed. Biodiesel is a promising renewable energy resource produced from a variety of easily accessible domestic wastes. For a swift transition towards commercially feasible biodiesel production, integrated optimization of the biodiesel SC system is critical. Using the latest social impact assessment tools, this study provides a decision-support system for developing a biodiesel SC network. A comprehensive computational analysis is performed on a case study to validate the proposed model. The results show that significant investment is required to achieve social well-being goals and secure decisions against uncertainty associated with SGB-SRSC model parameters. Further, it is observed that the expenses of biodiesel production and biodiesel plant installation accounted for a large portion of the overall SC cost. As a result, finding more cost-effective biodiesel production methods is critical to the industry’s economic viability. Regulators and policymakers involved in biodiesel production projects may find the framework useful in obtaining a compromise solution for socio-economic goals based on their preferences.

A robust, sustainable, resilient, and responsive model for forward/reverse logistics network design with a new approach based on horizontal collaboration

“…Also, strategies to deal with disruption risk, for example, inventory (Sabouhi et al, 2018 ), can be addressed to make a comparison with the proposed ones. Applying other robust optimization methods (Lotfi et al, 2022 ) or other methods of dealing with uncertainty, such as grey systems (Kanan et al, 2022 ; Roy et al, 2017 ) and comparing the performance of the desired models with the model presented is one of the opportunities for future research. Furthermore, this study considers horizontal collaboration in the SCND.…”

Review of Sustainable Biofuel Supply Chain Model Design

“…[9], M. Kanan et.al. [10], N. Zarrinpoor and A. Khani [13], W. Ahmed and B. Sarkar [28] have considered carbon tax policies in sustainable biofuel supply chain models. In the emission trading system policy (cap and trade), the Government sets emission limits for companies that exceed the company's emission limit and must buy additional quotas from other companies with lower emissions.…”

“…Kanan et.al. [10] designed a second-generation biodiesel-based supply chain network model by considering the sustainability dimensions of economic, environmental, and social to minimize total supply chain costs and environmental emission costs. D. K. Jana et.al.…”

Performance Evaluation of Wood Pellets Derived from Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source

“…A growing body of research underscores the pivotal role of biomass in satisfying the burgeoning global energy demand [2,[5][6][7]. The transition to a Circular Resource-Based Economy (CRBE) is facilitated by the monetization of biomass, particularly through biofuel production, which offers a more sustainable and carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels [2,8]. Concurrently, policy framework-s worldwide are increasingly aimed at curtailing the utilization of fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [9].…”