Renewable chemical feedstock supply network design : the case of terpenes
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Designing supply networks enabled by renewable chemical feedstocks presents complexities in terms ofundefined markets, multiple intermediate chemical compound options and uncertain chemical con-version pathways. This research addresses this gap by developing a structured approach for designingcompound class defined supply chains (SCs) through involving the analysis of: (i) renewable chemicalfeedstock sources; (ii) alternative technology and processing options; (iii) intermediate or end-usermarkets; and (iv) commercial value and viability. In particular, we apply this approach on the prom-ising case of terpenoid feedstocks. Further, in the specific case of terpenes we analyse renewable feed-stock SC options for the production of‘green’pharmaceuticals demonstrated by a case study onparacetamol. To that end, evidence is obtained through collating the dispersed literature on renewablechemical feedstocks, by semi-structured interviews and through expert panel engagements involvingindustry and academic informants. The studyfindings inform about the systemic mapping and modellingof compound class defined material-processing-supply networks, further providing a basis to identifyfeasible intermediate andfinal product options. The research contributes to the operations managementacademic and practice literature by proposing a structured approach for mapping and designingrenewable chemical feedstock SCs from a source material perspective, in this case renewable terpenoidfeedstocks, in contrast to the traditional end-market applications. From a circular economy perspective,the use of renewable feedstocks in extended SCs demonstrates the utility of the approach by integratingsupply side considerations (i.e. feedstock) with uncertainties of intermediate processing options andcommercialisation routes.
Description
CITATION: Tsolakis, N., et al. 2019. Renewable chemical feedstock supply network design : the case of terpenes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 222: 802-822, doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.108.
The original publication is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/
The original publication is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/
Keywords
Terpenes, Feedstock, Renewable resources, Supply chain management, Pharmaceutical plants
Citation
Tsolakis, N., et al. 2019. Renewable chemical feedstock supply network design : the case of terpenes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 222: 802-822, doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.108