2025
Daniel Cuellar-Usaquén; Marlin W. Ulmer; Oliver Antons; Julia C. Arlinghaus
Dynamic multi-period recycling collection routing with uncertain material quality Journal Article
In: OR Spectrum, 2025, ISSN: 1436-6304.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Benchmarking, Buyer-Supplier Relationship, Circular Economy, Circular Supply Chain, Decision-making, Linear programming, Optimization, Sustainability
@article{Cuellar-Usaqu\'{e}n2025,
title = {Dynamic multi-period recycling collection routing with uncertain material quality},
author = {Daniel Cuellar-Usaqu\'{e}n and Marlin W. Ulmer and Oliver Antons and Julia C. Arlinghaus},
url = {https://www.ms.ovgu.de/Research/Data.html
https://www.ms.ovgu.de/ms_media/Downloads/Data_Dynamic_Multi_Period_Recycling_Collection_Routing-p-604.zip
https://rdcu.be/d9abe
},
doi = {10.1007/s00291-025-00808-z},
issn = {1436-6304},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-02-08},
urldate = {2025-02-08},
journal = {OR Spectrum},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
abstract = {We consider the problem of collecting and processing waste material. At a production facility, a known amount of inventory is required for production (e.g., paper) for every period. Instead of new material, the facility relies on collected and processed waste material (e.g., paper waste). This material is collected from regional waste collection locations. The amount of waste material per location is uncertain, as is the quality of the collected waste, i.e., the resulting inventory when processing the material. If the inventory is insufficient at the end of a period, costly new material must be bought. Each period, decisions are made about how much waste material to collect from which location and how to route the collection vehicles accordingly. Ideally, inventory is built to hedge against quality uncertainty and to ensure efficient routing operations in future periods. We propose a stochastic lookahead method that samples a set of scenarios and solves a simplified two-stage stochastic program in every period. We show the value of our method for two case studies, one based on real-world data from Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, and one from the literature with data from the United Kingdom. We further conduct a detailed analysis of our method and the problem characteristics. The results show that our method effectively anticipates all sources of uncertainty, reducing cost significantly compared to benchmark policies. This superior performance is due to appropriate state-dependent supplier selection that considers the percentage of material loss, available material, and routing cost for current and future periods.},
keywords = {Benchmarking, Buyer-Supplier Relationship, Circular Economy, Circular Supply Chain, Decision-making, Linear programming, Optimization, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We consider the problem of collecting and processing waste material. At a production facility, a known amount of inventory is required for production (e.g., paper) for every period. Instead of new material, the facility relies on collected and processed waste material (e.g., paper waste). This material is collected from regional waste collection locations. The amount of waste material per location is uncertain, as is the quality of the collected waste, i.e., the resulting inventory when processing the material. If the inventory is insufficient at the end of a period, costly new material must be bought. Each period, decisions are made about how much waste material to collect from which location and how to route the collection vehicles accordingly. Ideally, inventory is built to hedge against quality uncertainty and to ensure efficient routing operations in future periods. We propose a stochastic lookahead method that samples a set of scenarios and solves a simplified two-stage stochastic program in every period. We show the value of our method for two case studies, one based on real-world data from Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, and one from the literature with data from the United Kingdom. We further conduct a detailed analysis of our method and the problem characteristics. The results show that our method effectively anticipates all sources of uncertainty, reducing cost significantly compared to benchmark policies. This superior performance is due to appropriate state-dependent supplier selection that considers the percentage of material loss, available material, and routing cost for current and future periods.
2024
Anna-Kristin Behnert; Oliver Antons; Julia Arlinghaus
Exploring the Challenges of Circular Economy Adoption: A Supply Chain Perspective Journal Article
In: IFAC-PapersOnLine, vol. 58, no. 19, pp. 211-216, 2024, ISSN: 2405-8963, (18th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing INCOM 2024).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cause-And-Effect Relationships, Circular Economy, Circular Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability
@article{BEHNERT2024211,
title = {Exploring the Challenges of Circular Economy Adoption: A Supply Chain Perspective},
author = {Anna-Kristin Behnert and Oliver Antons and Julia Arlinghaus},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405896324015829},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2024.09.168},
issn = {2405-8963},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {IFAC-PapersOnLine},
volume = {58},
number = {19},
pages = {211-216},
abstract = {The prevailing linear economic structure and our complex global supply chains are reaching their tangible limits, as evidenced by the impact of current crises such as energy scarcity. A shift from a linear to a Circular Economy is necessary to meet the urgent environmental and economic challenges. This paper aims to address a significant gap in the literature by utilizing a structured literature review and the Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) model. Rather than focusing on specific contexts or industries, this paper aims to examine the intercorrelation and interdependencies between the barriers from a supply chain perspective. Therefore, the diverse conceptual background of the Circular Economy and the complexity of its implementation due to the interconnectedness of barriers that span regulatory, cultural, market, and technological aspects are analyzed. The interdependence of barriers in the different supply chain stages is highlighted in a qualitative and explorative research approach. The key findings reveal that a successful supply chain management strategy that integrates Circular Economy principles along the whole supply chain is crucial for successfully transitioning from a linear to a Circular Economy. We identify necessary lines of future research to facilitate the successful transition and overcome the current barriers along the supply chain.},
note = {18th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing INCOM 2024},
keywords = {Cause-And-Effect Relationships, Circular Economy, Circular Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The prevailing linear economic structure and our complex global supply chains are reaching their tangible limits, as evidenced by the impact of current crises such as energy scarcity. A shift from a linear to a Circular Economy is necessary to meet the urgent environmental and economic challenges. This paper aims to address a significant gap in the literature by utilizing a structured literature review and the Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) model. Rather than focusing on specific contexts or industries, this paper aims to examine the intercorrelation and interdependencies between the barriers from a supply chain perspective. Therefore, the diverse conceptual background of the Circular Economy and the complexity of its implementation due to the interconnectedness of barriers that span regulatory, cultural, market, and technological aspects are analyzed. The interdependence of barriers in the different supply chain stages is highlighted in a qualitative and explorative research approach. The key findings reveal that a successful supply chain management strategy that integrates Circular Economy principles along the whole supply chain is crucial for successfully transitioning from a linear to a Circular Economy. We identify necessary lines of future research to facilitate the successful transition and overcome the current barriers along the supply chain.
2023
Oliver Antons; Tobias Benecke; Sanaz Mostaghim; Julia C. Arlinghaus
Sustainability in Chemical Production–Multi-Objective Distributed Control Book Section
In: New Trends in Intelligent Software Methodologies, Tools and Techniques, pp. 211–219, IOS Press, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Chemical industry, Circular Economy, Distributed control, Optimization, Sustainability
@incollection{antons2023sustainability,
title = {Sustainability in Chemical Production\textendashMulti-Objective Distributed Control},
author = {Oliver Antons and Tobias Benecke and Sanaz Mostaghim and Julia C. Arlinghaus},
doi = {10.3233/FAIA230236},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
booktitle = {New Trends in Intelligent Software Methodologies, Tools and Techniques},
pages = {211\textendash219},
publisher = {IOS Press},
abstract = {Chemical industry provides a multitude of intermediaries and final products essential to society, ranging from fertilizers and plastics to sophisticated pharmaceuticals. The underlying production processes are typically linear, utilizing finite resources in an unsustainable manner and creating unnecessary waste over a products lifetime. While a shift towards sustainability and circular economy is desired, the current market and political framework lead to conflicting objectives ranging from sustainability to profit maximization. In this article, we build upon a first minimal multi-objective MILP model and extend thereupon, reducing the overall level of required abstraction compared to the first model. Thereafter, we present a multi-agent based distributed optimization approach for a sequence of the extended MILP formulation.},
keywords = {Chemical industry, Circular Economy, Distributed control, Optimization, Sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Chemical industry provides a multitude of intermediaries and final products essential to society, ranging from fertilizers and plastics to sophisticated pharmaceuticals. The underlying production processes are typically linear, utilizing finite resources in an unsustainable manner and creating unnecessary waste over a products lifetime. While a shift towards sustainability and circular economy is desired, the current market and political framework lead to conflicting objectives ranging from sustainability to profit maximization. In this article, we build upon a first minimal multi-objective MILP model and extend thereupon, reducing the overall level of required abstraction compared to the first model. Thereafter, we present a multi-agent based distributed optimization approach for a sequence of the extended MILP formulation.
2019
Stephanie Knizkov; Oliver Antons; Julia C. Bendul
Designing Inclusive Supply Chains for Sustainability: Empirical Insights from the Bottom of the Global Economic Pyramid Proceedings Article
In: EurOMA19, 2019.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Base of the Pyramid, Co-creation, Sustainability, Sustainable Development
@inproceedings{Knizkov-2019,
title = {Designing Inclusive Supply Chains for Sustainability: Empirical Insights from the Bottom of the Global Economic Pyramid},
author = {Stephanie Knizkov and Oliver Antons and Julia C. Bendul},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
booktitle = {EurOMA19},
abstract = {Integration of the population at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) within company operations was identified as pivotal for realizing both value for companies operating in these challenging markets, as well as for harnessing the full potential of the BOP proposition in fostering value for individuals living in them. However, research on the topic remains predominantly simplistic, with nuanced and empiric based argumentation relatively scarce. In this paper we address this gap and provide a clear overview of how companies integrate BOP individuals in the different stages of their supply-chain, and how this integration facilitates different levels of sustainability depth.},
keywords = {Base of the Pyramid, Co-creation, Sustainability, Sustainable Development},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Integration of the population at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) within company operations was identified as pivotal for realizing both value for companies operating in these challenging markets, as well as for harnessing the full potential of the BOP proposition in fostering value for individuals living in them. However, research on the topic remains predominantly simplistic, with nuanced and empiric based argumentation relatively scarce. In this paper we address this gap and provide a clear overview of how companies integrate BOP individuals in the different stages of their supply-chain, and how this integration facilitates different levels of sustainability depth.