Verbund‐Simulation – Strategic Planning and Optimization of Integrated Production Networks

Abstract

Strategic analysis and optimization of highly integrated production networks is an essential requirement for cost-effective and resource-efficient production. This paper presents a comprehensive software-based concept for modeling, simulation, optimization, and visualization of an integrated silicone production network of Wacker Chemie AG. A Verbund-Model was implemented in a step-bystep approach, starting with primary material streams in one business unit up to the modeling of all energy, waste, and cost streams in several business units. The system's flexibility enables different levels of detail for modeling processes and parts of the network: from simple input-output relations to complex, nonlinear equations and specifications. The proactive implementation of technical measures and projects based on the assessment of future scenarios is an important outcome of the Verbund-simulation.

Enhancing sustainable production by the combined use of material flow analysis and mathematical programming

“…Their flexible approach to mapping industrial supply chains, as well as the fact that they have been implemented in the commercial material flow analysis software Umberto® (Schmidt and Häuslein, 1997), have led to their use by many companies, consultants and research institutes. MFN proved to be particularly useful for analyzing complex industrial production systems in the chemical industry (Bode et al, 2011;Thißen, 2010;Viere et al, 2010).…”

“…Viere et al, 2010), where it becomes difficult to identify optimal states manually. An extension of MEFA by methods for automatic model optimization has therefore been proposed (Bode et al, 2012(Bode et al, : 1513.…”