Analysis of Opportunities to Reduce CO 2 and NO X Emissions Through the Improvement of Internal Inter-Operational Transport

Szymon Pawlak, Tomasz Małysa, Angieszka Fornalczyk (), Angieszka Sobianowska-Turek and Marzena Kuczyńska-Chałada
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Szymon Pawlak: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Tomasz Małysa: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Angieszka Fornalczyk: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Angieszka Sobianowska-Turek: Department of Water and Wastewater Management and Waste Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Marzena Kuczyńska-Chałada: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: The reduction of environmental pollutant emissions—including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and other harmful substances—represents one of the foremost challenges in climate policy, economics, and industrial management today. Excessive emissions of CO 2 , NO X , and suspended particulates exert significant impacts on climate change as well as human health and welfare. Consequently, numerous studies and regulatory and technological initiatives are underway to mitigate these emissions. One critical area is intra-plant transport within manufacturing facilities, which, despite its localized scope, can substantially contribute to a company’s total emissions. This paper aims to assess the potential of computer simulation using FlexSim software as a decision-support tool for planning inter-operational transport, with a particular focus on environmental aspects. The study analyzes real operational data from a selected production plant (case study), concentrating on the optimization of the number of transport units, their routing, and the layout of workstations. It is hypothesized that reducing the number of trips, shortening transport routes, and efficiently utilizing transport resources can lead to lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO X ). The findings provide a basis for a broader adoption of digital tools in sustainable production planning, emphasizing the integration of environmental criteria into decision-making processes. Furthermore, the results offer a foundation for future analyses that consider the development of green transport technologies—such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles—in the context of their implementation in the internal logistics of manufacturing enterprises.

Keywords: CO 2 emissions; NO X; emission reduction; inter-operational transport; computer simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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