Supply chains enable the distribution of products and ultimately value creation. Supply chains in the process industries are highly complex as they typically involve multiple interdependent products, cover large geographical distances, and use various means of transportation. In addition, logistics decisions are often highly constrained by the production processes such that plant operations also have to be taken into account when designing or operating such supply chains.
The process industries have been experiencing major transformations in recent years, including the trend from product- toward service-oriented businesses, the increase in higher-value specialty products with more dynamic markets, shorter product life cycles, and the need to create a sustainable circular economy. For companies, adapting to these changes while remaining competitive requires effective supply chain optimization. In our work, we focus on the following aspects of supply chain engineering: integrated production and distribution, supply chain flexibility and reliability, and strategic network design.
Selected Publications
Rathi, T., Brzakala, C., Wang, H., & Zhang, Q. (2025). Assessing the impact of chain of custody models on the long-term planning of low-carbon ammonia supply chains. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 64(3), 1680-1699.
Wang, H., Daoutidis, P., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Ammonia-based green corridors for sustainable maritime transportation. Digital Chemical Engineering, 6, 100082.
Allman, A., Lee, C., Martín, M., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Biomass waste-to-energy supply chain optimization with mobile production modules. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 150, 107326.
Sánchez, A., Martín, M., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Optimal design of sustainable power-to-fuels supply chains for seasonal energy storage. Energy, 234, 121300.
Allman, A. & Zhang, Q. (2020). Dynamic location of modular manufacturing facilities with relocation of individual modules. European Journal of Operational Research, 286, 494-507.
Zhang, Q., Sundaramoorthy, A., Grossmann, I. E., & Pinto, J. M. (2017). Multiscale production routing in multicommodity supply chains with complex production facilities. Computers & Operations Research, 79, 207-222.
Zhang, Q., Shah, N., Wassick, J., Helling, R., & Van Egerschot, P. (2014). Sustainable supply chain optimisation: An industrial case study. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 74, 68-83.