Potential analysis model for case specific quantification of the degree of eligibility of innovative production concepts in the process industry

• A model for measuring the DoE of innovative production concepts is presented.
• The developed model is based on key elements of AHP.
• An accelerated investment decision process is provided by the model.
• Transformable plant designs are introduced and used as calculation scenario.

Several innovative production concepts are currently in the focus of the process industry. These concepts represent alternatives to conventional, established plants. If an investment need for new capacities is identified, innovative concepts seem to be promising in multiple use cases. Comparing and evaluating comprehensively both the innovative and conventional concept in every investment decision process lead to a lot more time and cost efforts in economic and ecological evaluations, though. Therefore, a potential analysis model is developed which quantifies the degree of eligibility for using a defined innovative production concept with respect to the given use case prior to evaluations. Consideration of promising production alternatives with the developed model provide a more comprehensive and accelerated investment decision process. Transformable plant designs and decentralized production are chosen exemplarily as innovative concepts. The model is based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Criteria for eligibility are structured hierarchically into the three clusters market, process/plant and product/logistics. Two scenarios have been implemented to test the model with different use cases. Results indicate that the eligibility of a certain innovative production concept depends on the scenario and the given circumstances like customer locations, demand volatilities or storage costs.