Multi-Objective Optimization to Support the Design of a Sustainable Supply Chain for the Generation of Biofuels from Forest Waste

Edgar Gutierrez-Franco, Andres Polo, Nicolas Clavijo-Buritica and Luis Rabelo
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Edgar Gutierrez-Franco: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
Andres Polo: School of Engineering, Fundacion Universitaria Agraria de Colombia, Bogota 110111, Colombia
Nicolas Clavijo-Buritica: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
Luis Rabelo: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-27

Abstract: The production and supply chain management of biofuels from organic waste as raw material has been identified as a promising strategy in the field of renewable energies and circular economy initiatives. This industry involves complex tasks such as strategic land use, feedstock purchasing, production plant location, production capacity strategy, and material flows, which can be solved by mathematical modeling. The study proposed a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model to design a sustainable supply chain of biofuels with forest residues from its triple function: economic, environmental, and social. The trade-offs between the proposed objectives were determined with computational results. The proposed objectives were profit maximization, CO 2 minimization, and employment generation maximization. Thus, the proposed model serves as a tool for decision-making, allowing the projection of a long-term structure of the biofuel supply chains and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: biofuels; bioethanol; lignocellulose; forest waste; sustainability; multi-objective optimization; waste management; circular economy; renewable energies; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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