Integrated planning of chemical supply chains

In the previous chapters isolated planning problems in chemical industry are described, reviewed and modelled. These approaches allow analysts to model typical chemical production processes and logistical planning problems in chemical production networks. Chemical production networks consist of many chemical plants clustered at chemical production sites. Such networks can be seen as an important part of chemical supply chains (SC). In the scientific literature, there is no unique and concise definition what a SC is, but some common features are prevalent in most definitions  

a chemical s SC can be defined as all (business) units and processes involved in the production and distribution of this chemical. FVom this point of view, chemical production networks of large-scaled chemical companies are major parts of the SCs of many chemicals. A particular property of chemical SCs is that a comparatively small number of independent companies is involved in the SC. This is because chemical companies are often deeply integrated, i.e. many subsequent production steps are processed by a chemical company. On the supply side, raw material suppliers such as oil-producing companies and refineries are to be taken into account. Moreover, logistical service providers managing transport and distribution processes play a vital role in chemical SCs. 

To manage SCs, a broad body of (scientific) literature has emerged since the 1980s. Supply chain management (SCM) aims at the planning, execution, and control of all transformation processes in a defined SC such that the SC s performance is optimized. The main focus of SCM is on the coordinated planning of the SC processes. Rjr planning, 

Kirschstein, Integrated Supply Chain Planning in Chemical Industry, Produktion und Logistik, 

SCM draws many approaches from related disciplines (such as logistics and operations management), but focuses on their integration and interactions. 

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Chapter 4 Integrated planning of chemical supply chains... 

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