Simulation and Optimization-Based Planning of the Use of Tank Containers in the Production of Specialty Chemicals

Changing market conditions in the chemical industry are leading to an increased demand for fast and individually engineered chemicals. This results in a decline in mass production towards producing small, demand-driven quantities. A combination of changing demand and the need for short-term adjustments requires flexible production planning and logistics. To ensure logistics flexibility, primarily manual processes are used. However, this comes with the risk of direct contact between humans and chemicals. One way to avoid this contact and enable sufficient flexibility is to use tank containers directly connected to the production plants. This paper aims to develop a framework that combines simulation and optimization for planning the use of tank containers. Based on this framework, tank container storage materials will be selected using optimization. Furthermore, simulation helps to evaluate the influences of the selection on the logistics system. Here, the focus is on the management of general cargo containers.