Improvement of investment decision reliability through dynamic modelling simulations in the chemical industry

Initial situation

  • An international producer of specialty chemicals needed to increase production capacity
  • Customer demand was growing, and the existing plant had insufficient capacities to meet market demand
  • Due to a complex product mix it was difficult to identify the production lines in need of expansion
  • The best compromise between the highest potential throughput/production output and the lowest possible investment had to be determined
  • A reliable method was needed to verify the best solution

Achievements

Fast
Acceptance of simulation results achieved
0 Mio. €
Reduction in investments achieved
Goals
Fully achieved

Our approach

  • Develop a simulation model to evaluate the best solution based on defined criteria (existing and alternative product mixes, energy consumption, personnel required and investment needed)
  • Model actual situation based on current or alternative product mix, units and layout
  • Define target state including alternative layouts and production concepts and integrate them into the model
  • Simulate different alternatives using a statistical experimental approach, consider typical fluctuations