How to monitor production with environmental impact in mind

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), and in particular to a system (1) and computer implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process in which allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) are applied to allocate emissions contributing to a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products. The method includes receiving (S100A) manufacturing process data (PPD) including information regarding at least one process step that produces at least two output materials within the manufacturing process; receiving (S100B) a first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) and a second allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) that is different from the first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3); and determining (S200C) at least two products (P1, P2, P3) that are affected by the first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) based on the manufacturing process data (PPD). ), determining a first PCF (PCF1) for the affected products (P1, P2, P3) while applying a first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S300), determining a second PCF (PCF2) for the affected products (P1, P2, P3) while applying a second allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S400), determining an action instruction (OI) based on a mutual comparison of the first PCF (PCF1) and the second PCF (PCF2) (S500), and outputting the determined action instruction (OI) (S600).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] explanation The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the environmental impact of a product. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and a computer implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process in which allocation rules are applied to allocate emissions, such as greenhouse gas emissions, that contribute to a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the results of such a method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product, and to a computer readable medium. [Background technology]

[0002] The importance of climate action is rapidly growing in the minds of the general public, regulators and financial investors. Large companies have announced ambitious short-term CO2 reduction targets, including emissions related to purchased raw materials, as required, for example, by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI). This has led to increased demand for transparency on product carbon footprints (PCFs) and options for reducing PCFs.

[0003] The PCF is a measure for determining the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that occur to manufacture each product. The PCF is an important tool for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, when those products with the lowest PCF are selected for consumption or further processing downstream in the value chain. For this reason, it is of high importance that the reported PCF of any product is as accurate as possible.

[0004] The environmental impact can be measured by the PCF of a product. The PCF is often calculated by a computer program that receives the necessary inputs and puts them through an algorithm that uses them to calculate the PCF. Thereby, in the case of a linear production chain, i.e., when raw materials are processed in multiple processing steps to a single product, this calculation is a simple addition of contributions. However, the calculation becomes more difficult when a processing step has more than one output that is used to produce multiple products. An example from a chemical plant is the reaction of ethylene oxide with ammonia to form three reaction products, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Each of these reaction products is used to produce a product in a separate further processing step. The PCF calculation algorithm must distribute the greenhouse emissions that contribute to the product's PCF for this reaction between the three products. This distribution is called the allocation of the emissions that contribute to the product's PCF. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There may therefore be a need to provide improved means for controlling a manufacturing process in which at least one allocation of emissions contributing to the PCF of a product is applied. The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims, further embodiments being incorporated in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process in which allocation rules are applied to allocate emissions, e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of the products between at least two different products. The method may be performed by a suitable system including at least one computing device and may be applied to a manufacturing process for producing at least two products, for example in a manufacturing plant, manufacturing network, etc.

[0007] The method is: - receiving manufacturing process data including information regarding at least one process step for producing at least two output materials within a manufacturing process; - receiving a first allocation rule and a second allocation rule different from the first allocation rule; - determining at least two products affected by the first allocation rule based on the manufacturing process data; - determining a first PCF for the affected products while applying a first allocation rule; - determining a second PCF for the affected products while applying a second allocation rule; - determining an action command based on a comparison of the first PCF and the second PCF to each other; - outputting the determined operation command.

[0008] In this way, the production of a product, such as in a manufacturing plant, may at least be monitored, but in particular controlled, taking into account the PCF of one or more products produced using the manufacturing process and the allocation rules applied thereto. In particular, the operating instructions may be used to monitor and / or control the manufacturing process, such as to monitor the PCF of the products, to control the production to achieve a certain PCF for the products, such as a predetermined PCF. The PCF of the products may be influenced by the allocation rules applied to each of them. For example, the method allows for determining, e.g. calculating, the PCF of at least two products, the at least two products being produced by a process step having more than one output used to produce the at least two products.

[0009] That is, the method described herein makes it possible to monitor and / or control the production in terms of the achieved or expected PCF for the products, even in a complex manufacturing process and / or environment that manufactures at least two products using one or more allocation rules for allocating emissions, e.g. greenhouse emissions, between the at least two products. This is a complex and not simple task in such complex manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the method described herein can be used in numerous ways for and / or during the production of the products. For example, it can be ensured that the PCF of the products, preferably the PCF of all products, is at least close to or matches a target PCF or is documented for the products in terms of being linked to the products. Furthermore, based on the knowledge of the allocation rules, controlling actions and / or interventions in the manufacturing process can be initiated to maintain or not exceed the target PCF, etc. Furthermore, using the knowledge of the allocation rules, it may be possible to adjust the production so that the PCF values ​​are reduced and relatively low. Furthermore, the method can be used to ensure that the calculated PCF values ​​also accurately reflect reality, for example by comparing the results with target or reference data, such as tabulated industry standard values. Significant deviations from such target or reference data can also be detected, which can then be analyzed and evaluated by an expert.

[0010] In other words, the method may be implemented by a computer program including computer instructions that, when executed by a data processor or other computing device, are configured to determine the impact of an allocation rule applied to a particular process step within a complex manufacturing process and / or complex manufacturing environment on the PCF of a manufactured product. This is accomplished by the computer program, for example, by receiving information such as a selection of at least one process step of interest or under consideration, i.e., manufacturing process data for the at least one process step. In at least some embodiments, this may be one, and in at least some other embodiments, more than one process step. The computer program determines a product to be manufactured using at least one output of the at least one process step that is directly affected by the allocation rule. Furthermore, the computer program then calculates a PCF for the affected product using the one allocation rule. For the calculation, according to at least some embodiments, the computer program may take into account the PCF of the raw material and energy use of at least one process step and / or each process step if more than one process step is considered. This information may be provided by a data input, for example, by the manufacturing process data. The computer program then calculates the PCF for said products using the same information on raw material and energy usage, but using the different allocation rules. From a mutual comparison of the PCFs determined by using the different allocation rules, the computer program determines an action instruction and provides this action instruction for further processing. In this manner, the methods described herein make it possible to monitor and / or control a manufacturing process at least with respect to the effect or influence of the applied and / or changed allocation rules, respectively, on or against the PCF of the products.

[0011] In the context of the present disclosure, the expression "monitoring production" may be understood broadly and may refer to any type of monitoring of a production process, for example, in terms of tracking the PCF of a product, verifying and / or evaluating the PCF, ensuring that the PCF of a product does not reach or exceed a target PCF, etc. Furthermore, "monitoring production" may also include planning production, which may be done in a planning stage before the actual production is carried out.

[0012] Furthermore, the expression "controlling manufacturing" may refer to any control action or intervention in the manufacturing, manufacturing network, manufacturing steps, etc., that affects the PCF of the product. This may include, for example, generating control signals that modify data in the manufacturing, for example in or through a manufacturing control system, an enterprise resource planning system, etc. For example, such control actions or interventions may include controlling manufacturing in terms of, for example, the PCF of raw materials, for example by modifying the raw materials of a process step, the suppliers of raw materials, etc., by modifying the energy used in a process step, by technical modification of a manufacturing step by modified physical or chemical effects on the input materials of the manufacturing step, etc. In other words, controlling manufacturing may modify one or more manufacturing process parameters in the actual manufacturing, thereby directly or indirectly controlling the PCF of the product. Furthermore, "controlling manufacturing" may also include planning the manufacturing, which may be done in a planning stage before the actual manufacturing is carried out.

[0013] However, "monitoring and / or controlling production" may also include creating or modifying product information, such as a product's PCF. For example, if an influencing factor is determined to change the product's PCF, the product information, such as a product's PCF, may be modified accordingly. The latter may be done by modifying corresponding information, e.g., a data set, in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The ERP system manages the corresponding product information and assigns it to products in a traceable manner.

[0014] As used herein, "manufacturing process data" may generally describe the manufacturing process of at least one input material, typically via a process step where the input material is used or processed or acts upon to obtain an output material. It is noted that in the context of the present disclosure, those manufacturing processes resulting in at least two product outcomes are considered in order to apply the allocation rules accordingly. For example, the manufacturing process data may include one or more of the process data including information regarding the process step from the required raw materials, which may also be referred to as input materials of the at least one process step under consideration to the product and / or output materials of the at least one process step. In at least some embodiments, the manufacturing process data may further include energy data including information regarding the carbon footprint and energy consumption of the at least one process step and / or each raw material for each process step under consideration. Furthermore, the process data may be collected from the manufacturing plant. It may be collected from a local or remote database, or any other suitable data source through an interface. Preferably, the manufacturing process data is collected into the ERP system through an interface. In this manner, the manufacturing process data may be collected from the ERP system. The ERP system may obtain information from the manufacturing plant. In this case, the process data is collected from the manufacturing plant via the ERP system. In this way, the process data is updated immediately when any change occurs in or around the manufacturing plant. Depending on the ERP system, "immediately" typically means within a day, preferably within 6 hours, especially within 1 hour. A typical example of such a change would be that the manufacturing plant receives insufficient reagents from a different factory and has to use external supplies instead. Such external supplies usually have a different product carbon footprint than the internal intermediates, thus changing the carbon footprint of the products produced in the manufacturing plant. Another advantage of the ERP system is that the data is standardized and verified, i.e. the data is reliable and typically does not require further validation.For example, the "manufacturing process data" may be received via an interface, such as a data interface, a communication interface, etc.

[0015] The manufacturing process data may include information about what by-products are obtained and in what quantities. Some process steps may not produce any by-products, such as the assembly of steel parts. In this case, the manufacturing process data does not include information about by-products. However, many process steps produce by-products. "By-product" in the context of this disclosure refers to any item that is inevitably obtained in a process step but cannot be used in a different process step. Sometimes, a by-product may be recycled to obtain a raw material or intermediate that can be used as a reagent in a process step, i.e. it may undergo another process step or multiple process steps. However, in some cases, there is no economically feasible use of the by-product. In this case, the by-product must be disposed of. It may be burned, for example, in an incinerator. If the incinerator is part of the manufacturing plant, the recovered heat and / or electrical energy must be taken into account.

[0016] The manufacturing process data may include information about what intermediate product or products are obtained at each process step and in what yield. "Yield" in the context of the present invention refers to the ratio of the product from a particular process step to the theoretical maximum. If the yield is 100%, for example, when the components are mixed during compounding, the manufacturing process data may not include information about the yield. However, the yield may be less than 100% if there are losses in the process steps. In chemical reactions, the yield is typically less than 100% due to side reactions and losses during purification. In other processes, the yield may also be less than 100%, for example, when a steel part is cut or drilled, losses may occur unless the offcuts can be reused.

[0017] "ERP system" in the context of this disclosure shall have its general meaning. A typical ERP system provides an integrated and continuously updated view of core business processes using a common database maintained by a database management system. An ERP system typically tracks business resources such as orders, purchase orders, and payroll, the status of cash, raw materials, manufacturing capacity, and business commitments. The applications that make up the system typically share data across the various departments that provide the data, such as departments responsible for manufacturing, purchasing, sales, and accounting.

[0018] The term "allocation rule" may be understood as any rule that determines the distribution of emissions between individual products and / or that may control this distribution, for example by intervening in the production. For example, the allocation rule may be understood as a rule, instruction, etc. that specifies how the emissions that affect the PCFs, e.g. greenhouse emissions, generated at least in the process step under consideration, are distributed between the products manufactured, which may be manufactured in one or more further process steps downstream of the process step under consideration. In an example, the allocation rule may be a rule that specifies how the emissions that affect the PCFs, e.g. greenhouse emissions, generated at least in the process step under consideration, are distributed between the respective processes involved in the production of the product.

[0019] The distribution of emissions between products and / or processes can be done, for example, according to their mass, volume, number of units, moles (in case of chemical reactions), or other quantifiable units. An example from a chemical plant is the reaction of ethylene oxide with ammonia to form three reaction products, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Each of these reaction products is used to manufacture a product in a separate further processing step. The PCF calculation algorithm must distribute the carbon dioxide emitted for this reaction between the three products and / or corresponding process steps. This distribution is called allocation and can be expressed in a corresponding, preferably computer-readable, allocation rule. As used herein, an "allocation rule" may be received via an interface, for example a data interface, a communication interface, etc.

[0020] The method steps aimed at determining, e.g., calculating, the products affected by the allocation rule, the first PCF and / or the second PCF, and / or the operating instructions may be performed, for example, by a suitable data processor or other computing device, which may be operatively connected to an input interface via which the manufacturing process data is received. Outputting the operating instructions may be performed, for example, by a suitable output interface, e.g., a data interface, a communication interface, etc.

[0021] As used herein, "action instructions" may be understood broadly and may refer to any information related to a manufacturing process or any information that triggers or can be used to trigger an action related to manufacturing. In a simple case, the action instructions may be used to create or adapt product information, e.g., a PCF of one or more products. In another simple case, it may be used to evaluate and / or validate the PCF of one or more products, taking into account the applied allocation rules. However, the action instructions may also include one or more computer instructions for controlling, modifying, etc., a manufacturing process, e.g., via a manufacturing control system, an ERP system, etc.

[0022] As used herein, "outputting" at least one impact factor may be understood as writing the carbon footprint onto a non-transitory data storage medium, displaying it on a user interface, or both. It is also possible to provide the output through an interface to a customer, such as to the customer's supply chain system or ERP system. It is also possible to provide the output through an interface to the manufacturer's own ERP system, from where it can be distributed to where this information is needed.

[0023] When the operating instructions are output on the user interface, the user interface preferably uses graph techniques. In this way, it is possible to analyze the contributions along the manufacturing process in order to monitor and / or control the manufacturing process and thereby minimize the carbon footprint of the product. It is also possible to monitor and / or control the change in the carbon footprint when the manufacturing process is changed. In addition, the output can be used to simulate the effect of a change, for example by manually changing certain values, and see its effect on the carbon footprint of the product. For example, for each product, the effect of replacing a particular raw material with one that has a lower carbon footprint may be analyzed.

[0024] Furthermore, as used herein, the term "carbon footprint" may be understood as the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted or removed in the entire process, from the extraction of natural resources to when the product leaves the manufacturing plant. In the context of this disclosure, the carbon footprint does not include any greenhouse gas emissions later in the life of the product. For example, for a car, the carbon footprint in the context of this disclosure is the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to manufacture the car, not the emissions that result from using the car after it leaves the manufacturing plant. The amount of carbon footprint is typically expressed as the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide, and therefore the amount of carbon dioxide that has the same impact on the global climate as the greenhouse gases actually emitted.

[0025] Greenhouse emissions and / or greenhouse gases may include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, which may be converted to their carbon dioxide equivalents according to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (see standards such as ISO 14067 or Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Standards WRI & WBCSD, 2011 for Carbon Footprint of Products).

[0026] The methods described herein can be applied to a wide variety of products made from raw materials. The term "product" as used herein generally refers to any item that can be sold to others at any point in the value chain. This can include final products for end consumers, such as cars, paints, toys or medicines. It can also include items that are typically sold to other companies that further process them, such as steel parts for machines, plastic pellets for extrusion, or chemical compounds, such as acrylic acid to make superabsorbents for diapers. It can also include items very early in the value chain, such as crude oil fractions, such as naphtha, agricultural products, such as soybeans, or refined sand for glass production.

[0027] The term "raw material" as used in this disclosure refers to any item purchased from a supplier and delivered to a manufacturing plant. Raw materials can be at any stage along the value chain, such as the products mentioned above. This means that the products of one manufacturing plant can be the raw material of another manufacturing plant. Raw materials can also include very basic items such as air, water, natural gas, or salt.

[0028] An "intermediate" refers to an item, such as a substance, that is not a raw material or a product, but is made from raw materials or earlier intermediates, further processed into other intermediates, and ultimately processed into a product. An intermediate may be associated with a corresponding process step in which it is produced, used, transported, etc.

[0029] A "manufacturing plant" as used in this disclosure is any facility capable of producing any type of goods that are sold to an end customer or further processed in a different manufacturing plant. A manufacturing plant may be in a single location or in multiple locations. If manufacturing plants are in multiple locations, they must typically be under common management, which is the case when they belong to the same company or related companies. Examples of plants are power plants, steel mills, oil producing plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, building material producing plants, machinery producing plants, automobile producing plants, textile producing plants, furniture producing plants, food producing plants, consumer electronics producing plants such as mobile phones, paper making and / or paper converting plants such as printing presses.

[0030] A "process step" as used herein may be understood as a sequence of operations on raw materials that cannot be adequately separated in time or space. Typically, all operations of one process step are carried out in one premises using some dedicated equipment.

[0031] The method according to the invention is particularly useful for manufacturing plants performing interconnected process steps. The term "interconnected" in the context of the present invention means that at least one process step uses two intermediates of different other process steps, or uses one intermediate of different other process steps that each produce this intermediate, or results in two intermediates that are used in two different other process steps. Thus, preferably, the manufacturing plant performs interconnected process steps. Even more preferably, the manufacturing plant is a chemical manufacturing plant performing interconnected process steps. In many cases, the interconnected process steps are performed in different factories, possibly in different locations and potentially operated by different group companies.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the method may be performed prior to an actual change from a first allocation rule to a second allocation rule during the manufacturing planning stage. For example, the determined operating instructions may initially be used only to estimate or predict the effect of a particular allocation rule on the PCF of one or more products before the allocation rule is actually changed or used as a replacement for a previously used or planned allocation rule. In this way, manufacturing or its control may be checked for the impact of the allocation rule without immediate impact on the actual manufacturing process and / or PCF of the products.

[0033] In an embodiment, different first and / or second allocation rules may be received and / or applied to different process steps. In other words, the at least one process step considered may be selected from several different process steps provided for the manufacturing process, including even interrelated process steps, and different allocation rules have been or will be specified for the different process steps. That is, the methods described herein may also be applied to complex manufacturing processes or environments, where more than one process step and / or more than one allocation rule is applied.

[0034] According to an embodiment, a target PCF, e.g. predetermined, may be specified for at least one of the at least two different products, and an allocation rule suitable for achieving the target PCF may be determined based on the determined operation instructions. In other words, a target PCF may be specified for a product, and an allocation rule suitable or expected for achieving the target PCF may be determined based on the determination of the operation instructions and / or one or more of the decision steps, e.g. calculation steps, involved as described above. This allows the production to be controlled such that the specified PCF is actually achieved at least approximately.

[0035] In an embodiment, at least one process step may be associated with a plurality of allocation rules, and the method may further include comparing the second PCF with a PCF reference value associated with the product, and determining a particular allocation rule among the plurality of allocation rules that brings the PCF of the product closest to the PCF reference value. In other words, the method, e.g. a computer program, may be configured to estimate which allocation rule comes closest to reality, e.g. by comparing at least the second PCF with a PCF reference value, e.g. a market standard, etc. If the computer program has these as inputs, it may be possible to output, e.g. display, deviations. These may be analyzed to determine whether differences in the manufacturing method are the reason for the deviations. If not, the allocation rule that comes closest to the reference may be selected as the most appropriate, suitable, or best one. For example, the PCF reference value may be, e.g., a standardized PCF for the product or product group contained therein, or a PCF practice in the market, e.g., further PCFs of competing products, PCFs specified in some other way, etc. This allows the PCF of the product to be monitored and / or controlled even more accurately, or allows production to be monitored and / or controlled taking into account further metrics.

[0036] According to an embodiment, at least one process step may be associated with multiple allocation rules, and the method may further include: determining products affected by the multiple allocation rules based on the manufacturing process data; determining a first PCF for the affected products while applying each of the multiple allocation rules; determining a second PCF for the affected products while applying each of the multiple allocation rules; and determining an action instruction for each decision to apply the multiple allocation rules based on a comparison of the first PCF and the second PCF with each other. In other words, if at least one process step under consideration includes multiple allocation rules, the determination of the action instruction may be performed for each individual allocation rule. In this way, even complex manufacturing processes or manufacturing environments may be monitored and / or controlled with respect to their impact by multiple allocation rules.

[0037] In an embodiment, the method may further comprise applying an optimization algorithm, such as a solver, utilizing, for example, a cost function or any other suitable optimization means, to determine at least one allocation rule that is modified or replaced by another allocation rule determined by the optimization algorithm to adjust, for example reduce or minimize, the PCF during at least one process step and / or during the manufacturing process, thereby allowing a particularly precise selection of the appropriate allocation rule.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the operational instructions may be output via a user interface. The user interface may include a graphical user interface configured to present the operational instructions in an understandable context with the manufacturing process, at least one process step, the PCF of the product, and / or the monitoring and / or control of the manufacturing process. For example, the user interface may output, e.g., display, such absolute or relative changes per product. Thus, the impact of the allocation rules on the PCF for the product may be visualized and / or evaluated.

[0039] In embodiments, information regarding the second allocation rule and / or the second allocation rule applied to determine the second PCF is received via a user interface configured to allow modifying at least the allocation rule of at least one process step. For example, the user interface may include a graphical user interface (GUI), via which a user, e.g., an operator of the manufacturing process, may at least select the second allocation rule. Thereby, it may also be possible to modify an existing allocation rule, e.g., a first allocation rule, to another allocation rule, e.g., a second allocation rule that differs from the first allocation rule in at least one parameter. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, the at least one process step under consideration may be selected and / or configured via the user interface. This allows for extensive monitoring and / or extensive control of the manufacturing process.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise replacing the first allocation rule with the second allocation rule if the determined operation instructions satisfy a replacement criterion. For example, the second allocation rule may be the allocation rule determined to be the most appropriate. It may also be determined by the above-mentioned optimization algorithm. That is, the replacement criterion may be, for example, the result of the optimization algorithm or the like. In this way, the production may be controlled in terms of the PCF of the product, which is achieved by the allocation rule used and / or by active intervention in the control system by the replaceable allocation rule. The allocation rule may be used at any suitable point in the production control, for example in an ERP system or the like.

[0041] In an embodiment, the first PCF and / or the second PCF may be determined by receiving a carbon footprint of raw materials used in at least one process as input materials, receiving energy data including information on energy consumption for at least one process step, and determining the first PCF and / or the second PCF of the product taking into account the manufacturing process data, the carbon footprint of the raw materials, and / or the energy data.

[0042] For example, calculating the PFC of a product or intermediate involves summing the carbon footprint of each raw material used in a particular process step as included in the manufacturing process data. If a process step requires intermediates from different process steps, the sum of the carbon footprints of the raw materials of this earlier process step is determined and used as input for the later process step. This may need to be repeated if the earlier process step uses intermediates of an earlier process step again. If a process step produces more than one intermediate, for example two or three intermediates, the raw material carbon footprint needs to be shared between these intermediates. The allocation for each intermediate should reflect the raw material usage rate for each intermediate. In some cases, two intermediates are formed in the same amount and therefore the raw material carbon footprint is shared equally between them. In other cases, one intermediate is formed significantly more than the other, for example intermediate 1 at 90% and intermediate 2 at 10%. The carbon footprint should be shared accordingly. Thus, preferably, in the method of the present invention, determining the carbon footprint involves calculating the carbon footprint of an intermediate produced in a preceding process step and using the carbon footprint of the intermediate as input for the calculation of the carbon footprint of the subsequent process step. In particular, in interconnected manufacturing processes, the calculation of the carbon footprint may be facilitated by subdividing it into similar calculation parts, one for each process step.

[0043] The manufacturing process data may include information on any direct greenhouse gas emissions due to the process steps. Such direct greenhouse gas emissions often result from chemical reactions of raw materials that contain greenhouse gases or generate greenhouse gases during the process steps, for example by heating. A typical example is cement production, where carbon dioxide is released from heating the raw materials, in particular heating limestone. Information on direct greenhouse gas emissions usually includes information on what greenhouse gases are emitted and in what quantities. The quantities may be given in terms of the amount of raw materials or the amount of products or intermediates of the respective process steps. The latter may be derived from the former by multiplying with the yield of the process step.

[0044] In the simplest case, one or more raw materials may be processed in one process step to reach at least two products. For example, a given cable as raw material may be cut to different lengths to obtain two cables of different lengths as different products. However, in most cases, the manufacturing process is more complex. Several raw materials are processed into various intermediates that are processed into various products, one raw material may be used to produce more than one intermediate, and one intermediate may be used to produce more than one product. In such a situation, the final carbon footprint of one product will depend on the amount of other products produced in the manufacturing plant. Thus, typically, the manufacturing process data includes information on what reagents are needed for each process step and in what quantities for all products that have at least one reagent or intermediate in common. For many manufacturing plants, the manufacturing process data includes information on what reagents are needed for each process step and in what quantities for at least two products that have at least one reagent or intermediate in common. In the case of a complex manufacturing plant, the manufacturing process data includes information on what reagents and in what quantities are needed for each process step for at least five or at least ten products that have at least one reagent or intermediate in common.

[0045] The manufacturing process data is typically acquired, received, etc., through an interface, e.g., a data interface, a communication interface, etc. The manufacturing process data may be acquired, for example, from a manufacturing plant. The manufacturing process data may be acquired through an interface to a local or remote database. Preferably, the manufacturing process data is acquired through an interface to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. In this way, the manufacturing process data may be acquired from the ERP system. The ERP system may acquire information from the manufacturing plant. In this case, the manufacturing process data is acquired from the manufacturing plant via the ERP system. In this way, the manufacturing process data is updated immediately when any change occurs in or around the manufacturing plant. Depending on the ERP system, "immediately" typically means within one day, preferably within six hours, in particular within one hour. A typical example of such a change would be that the manufacturing plant receives insufficient reagents from a different factory and has to use an external supply instead. Such an external supply usually has a different product carbon footprint than the internal intermediates, thus changing the carbon footprint of the products manufactured in the manufacturing plant. Another advantage of an ERP system is that the data is standardized and verified, i.e. the data is reliable and typically does not require further validation.

[0046] The second aspect relates to the use of the action instructions determined by the method of the first aspect in monitoring and / or controlling a manufacturing process. Possible monitoring and / or control applications have been described above in relation to the first aspect, and reference is made to the above description. For example, by using the determined action instructions, it is possible to monitor and / or control the production in terms of the achieved or expected PCF of the products, even in a complex manufacturing process and / or environment in which at least two products are manufactured using one or more allocation rules for allocating emissions, e.g. greenhouse emissions, between the at least two products. This is a complex and not straightforward task in such complex manufacturing processes.

[0047] In a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable data medium storing a computer program comprising instructions for performing the steps of the method according to the first aspect. The computer readable data medium comprises for example a hard drive on a server, a USB storage device, a CD, a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. The computer program may contain all the functionality and data required for performing the method according to the first aspect, or the computer program may provide an interface to allow parts of the method to be processed on a remote system, for example a cloud system.

[0048] According to a fourth aspect, a system is provided for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process, in which an allocation rule is applied to allocate emissions contributing to a product carbon footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products. The system may be configured to monitor and / or control the manufacturing process by data exchange with a manufacturing control system, an ERP system, or the like, by analysis, adaptation and / or output of manufacturing information, and / or by active intervention in the manufacturing control system, the ERP system, or the like. Unless expressly stated differently below, the above description of the method, including the preferred embodiments, also applies to the system. The system may be a computing device, for example a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, or any other suitable computing device. In at least some embodiments, the computing device may have a communication interface and / or a network connection to communicate with other computing devices, such as a server or a cloud network.

[0049] The system includes an input interface configured to receive manufacturing process data including information regarding at least one process step producing at least two output materials within a manufacturing process, and a first allocation rule and a second allocation rule different from the first allocation rule. The system further includes a data processor configured to determine at least two products affected by the first allocation rule and / or the second allocation rule based on the manufacturing process data, determine a first PCF for the affected products while applying the first allocation rule, determine a second PCF for the affected products while applying the second allocation rule, and determine an action instruction based on a comparison of the first PCF and the second PCF with each other. The system further includes an output interface configured to output the determined action instruction for further processing, e.g., for evaluation thereof, for display, for control of the manufacturing process, etc.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the output interface may include a user interface configured to display the determined operating instructions. The user interface is preferably configured to display the impact factors and / or carbon footprint of the product and each contribution, preferably including the raw material contribution, the energy contribution and the direct emission contribution of each process step. Preferably, the user interface uses graph techniques. The user interface may provide an overview of each process step, its raw materials and energy required, connections with other process steps. The user interface may also provide a carbon footprint of each process step, in particular it may display the carbon footprint resulting from raw materials, energy consumption and direct greenhouse gas emissions in a separately aggregated form.

[0051] Preferably, the system is adapted to receive updated data at any time and can update the output in real time, where real time typically means within a few minutes, preferably within a minute, for example within 1-30 seconds.

[0052] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are described with respect to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with respect to method type claims, whereas other embodiments are described with respect to apparatus or device type or system type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will infer from the above and following description that, unless otherwise noted, any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, as well as any combination between features relating to different subject matters, is considered to be disclosed in the present application. Moreover, the combination of all features can obtain more synergistic effects than the mere sum of the features.

[0053] These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0054] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0055] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system and principles for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] An example of a manufacturing process or chain in which allocation rules are applied to allocate emissions contributing to a product carbon footprint (PCF) of a product between at least two different products is shown in a schematic block or process diagram, to which an exemplary manufacturing process or chain in which a method or system for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure can be applied. [Figure 4]An example of a manufacturing process or chain in which allocation rules are applied to allocate emissions contributing to a product carbon footprint (PCF) of a product between at least two different products is shown in a schematic block or process diagram, to which an exemplary manufacturing process or chain in which a method or system for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure can be applied. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] The drawings are only schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements have been given the same reference numbers throughout.

[0057] 1 shows in a schematic block diagram a system 1 configured to monitor and / or control the production of a product using a manufacturing process, which may also be called a production chain, in which allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 (see, for example, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) are applied to allocate emissions contributing to a product carbon footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products. The system 1 is any suitable computing device and includes an input interface 10, a data processor 20, and an output interface 30. The processor 20 is operatively connected to each of the input interface 10 and the output interface 30.

[0058] The input interface 10 is, for example, a data interface, a communication interface, etc., and is configured to receive manufacturing process data PPD including at least information on at least one process step PS (see, for example, FIG. 3, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) for producing at least two output materials in a manufacturing process, a first allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 (see, for example, FIG. 3, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) and a second allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 (see, for example, FIG. 3, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) different from the first allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3. To this end, the input interface 10 is operatively connected to one or more suitable data sources, such as, for example, an enterprise resource planning system (ERF), a supplier database, etc., which may collect and / or provide the process data PPD. For example, the process data PPD may include one or more of process data including information on the process steps from the required raw materials to the product, the carbon footprint of each raw material, and energy data including information on the energy consumption per process step. The first and second points in time may be two different points in a manufacturing process, different links in a manufacturing chain, etc.

[0059] The processor 20 is configured to determine, e.g., calculate, based on the manufacturing process data PPD, at least two products P1, P2, P3 (see, e.g., FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4) affected by the first allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3, e.g., by executing computer instructions of a respective computer program. The processor 20 is further configured to determine, e.g., calculate, for the affected products P1, P2, P3, a first PCF PCF1 (see, e.g., FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4) while applying the first allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3. Furthermore, the processor 20 is configured to determine, e.g., calculate, for the affected products P1, P2, P3, a second PCF PCF2 (see, e.g., FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4) while applying the second allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3. The processor 20 is further configured to determine, e.g., calculate, an action instruction OI (see, e.g., FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4) based on a comparison of the first PCF PCF1 and the second PCF PCF2 with each other. For example, the action instruction may relate to or include any information, action, etc., by which the PCF of the manufacturing process and / or the product may be monitored and / or controlled and / or the corresponding product information may be created and / or corrected. In a simple case, the action instruction may be used to create or adapt product information, e.g., the PCF of one or more products. In another simple case, the action instruction may be used to evaluate and / or verify the PCF of one or more products, taking into account the applied allocation rules. However, the action instruction may also include one or more computer instructions for controlling, modifying, etc. the manufacturing process, e.g., via a manufacturing control system, an ERP system, etc.

[0060] The output interface 30 is any suitable data interface, communication interface, etc., configured to output action instructions OI for the manufacturing process and / or further processing in the manufacturing environment. For example, the output interface 30. The output interface 30 may, for example, include or be operatively connected to a user interface UI (see, for example, FIG. 2 or FIG. 4) for displaying at least the action instructions OI. However, the output interface may also be operatively connected to a manufacturing control system (not shown), an ERP (not shown), etc., whereby the system 1 may monitor and, in particular, computationally control the manufacturing based on the at least one action instruction OI, thereby controlling the manufacturing process taking into account the applied or applied allocation rules and / or the PCF of the products. The control of the manufacturing process may, for example, include controlling one or more parameters of the manufacturing process, such as raw materials, energy consumption, etc., whereby the PCF of the products P1, P2, P3 may also be controlled accordingly.

[0061] It should be noted that the processor 20 and / or the output interface 30 may be operatively connected to a manufacturing control system, an ERP, etc., and may be configured to output one or more control signals configured to control the manufacturing control system, the ERP, a supply chain, etc.

[0062] Optionally, the processor 20 is configured to determine the operation instructions OI before actually changing from a first allocation rule to a second allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 during the manufacturing planning stage. For example, the processor may be configured to first simply estimate a determined effect of a particular allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 or its change on the PCF of one or more products P1, P2, P3 before the allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 is actually applied or changed.

[0063] Further optionally, the processor 20 is configured to receive and / or apply different first and / or second allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 for different process steps PS1-PS6 (see, for example, Fig. 2, 3 or 4). In other words, the at least one process step SP under consideration may be selected from several different process steps PS1-PS6 provided for the manufacturing process, e.g. even for interrelated process steps, and different allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 are specified for at least some of the different process steps PS1-PS6.

[0064] Optionally, the processor 20 is configured to determine a target PCF, which may be specified, e.g., predetermined, for at least one of the at least two different products, and to determine appropriate or most appropriate allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 for achieving the target PCF based on the determined operating instructions OI.

[0065] Further optionally, at least one process step PS1-PS6 is associated with a plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3, and the processor 20 is further configured to compare at least the second PCF PCF2 with PCF reference values ​​associated with the products P1, P2, P3, and determine a specific allocation rule among the resulting or expected plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 to bring the PCF of the products closer to the PCF reference value.

[0066] Optionally, at least one process step PS1 to PS6 is associated with a plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL4, and the processor 20 is further configured to: determine products P1, P2, P3 affected by the plurality of allocation rules based on the received manufacturing process data PPD; determine a first PCF PCF1 for the affected products P1, P2, P3, optionally for each of the affected products P1, P2, P3, while applying an individual allocation rule of the plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3; determine a second PCF PCF2 for the affected products P1, P2, P3, optionally for each of the affected products P1, P2, P3, while applying an individual allocation rule of the plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 or another individual allocation rule; and determine an operation instruction OI for each decision to apply the plurality of allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 based on a comparison of the first PCF and the second PCF with each other.

[0067] Further optionally, the processor 20 is further configured to apply an optimization algorithm, e.g., a solver, utilizing, e.g., a cost function or any other suitable optimization means, to determine at least one allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 to be modified or replaced by another allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 determined by the optimization algorithm to adjust, e.g., reduce or minimize, the PCF of the products P1, P2, P3 during at least one process step PS1-PS6 and / or during the manufacturing process.

[0068] Optionally, the processor 20 is further configured to replace one allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 by another allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 if the determined operation instruction OI satisfies a replacement criterion. For example, the replacing allocation rule may be the allocation rule determined to be the most appropriate. It may also be determined by the optimization algorithm described above. As an example, the processor 20 is configured to implement the operation instruction or more specifically the other allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 in the manufacturing process.

[0069] Further optionally, the processor 20 is further configured for determining the first PCF PCF1 and / or the second PCF PCF2 by receiving a carbon footprint of raw materials used in the at least one process as input material, receiving, e.g. via the input interface 10, energy data comprising information on energy consumption for at least one process step, and determining the first PCF PCF1 and / or the second PCF PCF2 of the products P1, P2, P3 taking into account the manufacturing process data PPD, the carbon footprint of the raw materials and / or the energy data.

[0070] For example, calculating the PFC of a product or intermediate involves summing the carbon footprint of each raw material used in a particular process step as included in the manufacturing process data. If a process step requires intermediates from different process steps, the sum of the carbon footprints of the raw materials of this earlier process step is determined and used as input for the later process step. This may need to be repeated if the earlier process step uses intermediates of an earlier process step again. If a process step produces more than one intermediate, for example two or three intermediates, the raw material carbon footprint needs to be shared between these intermediates. The allocation for each intermediate should reflect the raw material usage rate for each intermediate. In some cases, two intermediates are formed in the same amount and therefore the raw material carbon footprint is shared equally between them. In other cases, one intermediate is formed significantly more than the other, for example intermediate 1 at 90% and intermediate 2 at 10%. The carbon footprint should be shared accordingly. Thus, preferably, in the method of the present invention, determining the carbon footprint involves calculating the carbon footprint of an intermediate produced in a preceding process step and using the carbon footprint of the intermediate as input for the calculation of the carbon footprint of the subsequent process step. In particular, in interconnected manufacturing processes, the calculation of the carbon footprint may be facilitated by subdividing it into similar calculation parts, one for each process step.

[0071] Fig. 2 shows in a schematic block diagram the principle of the above-mentioned system 1 and its control via an input interface 10, a processor 20 and an output interface 30, where the production of products P1, P2, P3 starts from a raw material R1 via intermediates I1, I2 and further raw materials R2 using a production process PS. In this example, the production process PP proceeds in the direction of the arrows connecting the individual process elements, and at least two products P1, P2 or possibly more than two products P are produced at the end. As indicated in Fig. 2 by the designation UI, the user interface UI may be configured to output, for example to display, a first PCF, denoted PCF1, and a second PCF2, denoted PCF2, as well as operation instructions OI. Furthermore, as indicated in Fig. 2 by the arrow 30, the output interface 30 may also be connected to further processing means, such as a production control system, an ERP system, etc., for actively controlling the production process and / or for controlling one or more PCFs of the products P1, P2. 2, the dashed circle, labeled AL, indicates that the allocation rules may be modified as processed by the processor 20. This may also be initiated by operation of the user interface UI by a user, for example an operator of the manufacturing system 1.

[0072] Optionally, the operation instructions OI are output via a user interface UI. The user interface UI may include a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to represent the operation instructions OI in an understandable context with the manufacturing process, at least one process step PS, raw materials R1, R2, a first PCF1 and a second PCF2, PCFs such as products P1, P2, P3, and / or means for monitoring and / or controlling the manufacturing process. For example, the user interface UI may output, for example display, absolute or relative changes in PCFs for each such product P1, P2, which are representative of the operation instructions OI or a part thereof.

[0073] Further optionally, the user interface UI is configured to select an allocation rule AL1, AL2 to be used for determining the second PCF2. For example, the user interface UI may include a graphical user interface (GUI), via which a user, e.g., an operator of the manufacturing process, may at least select an allocation rule for determining the second PCF2.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows an example of a production process PP or production chain in a schematic block or process diagram, where an allocation rule AL is applied to allocate the emissions contributing to the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the products between at least two different products P1, P2. Again, the production of the products P1, P2, P3 starts from a raw material R1 via intermediates I1, I2 and further raw materials R2 using a production process PS. In this example, the production process PP proceeds in the direction of the arrows connecting the individual process elements, and at least two products P1, P2 or possibly more than two products P are produced at the end. Again, in FIG. 3, the dashed circle indicated with AL1 indicates that this one allocation rule AL1 can be changed to another allocation rule AL2, where applying the other allocation rule AL affects at least the allocation of the greenhouse emissions contributing to the PCF of the products P1 and / or P2 between the products P1, P2. By applying the system 1 or method described herein to the example shown in FIG. 3, the allocation of greenhouse emissions may be monitored and / or controlled as described herein.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a further example of a manufacturing process PP or manufacturing chain in a schematic block or process diagram, however, multiple allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 are applied to allocate the greenhouse emissions contributing to the PCF of the products between three different products P1, P2, P3. It should be noted that the system 1 or the method described herein can also be applied to more complex manufacturing processes, for example including more than the illustrated number of raw materials R, intermediates I, and process steps PS, by following the principles described herein. Again, in FIG. 4, the dashed circles indicated by AL1, AL2, AL3 indicate that this respective one allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 can be changed to another allocation rule AL, the application of the other allocation rule AL having an effect on at least the allocation of the greenhouse emissions contributing to the PCF of the products P1, P2, and / or P3 between the products P1, P2, P3. By applying the system 1 or the method described herein to the example shown in FIG. 4, the allocation of greenhouse emissions can be monitored and / or controlled as described herein. Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows an exemplary user interface UI, which indicates the absolute or relative change in the PFC of each of the products P1, P2, P3 (see the right side of Fig. 4), the indication of which is also the action instruction OI or part thereof. According to Fig. 4, the action instruction OI here exemplarily indicates the absolute or relative change in the PCF of the products P1, P2, P3 and may also indicate the corresponding PFC value x. Optionally, the action instruction OI may also indicate whether the PFC of the products P1, P2, P3 changes in a positive or negative direction by one or more graphical elements as exemplarily shown in Fig. 4 by respective arrows.

[0076] 5 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method for controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process according to the present disclosure. The method may be executed by the system 1 described above and / or applied to the exemplary manufacturing process shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 to determine at least one operating instruction OI configured to monitor and / or control the allocation of greenhouse emissions between the manufacturing process PP and / or at least two different products produced in the manufacturing process PP.

[0077] In step S100A, manufacturing process data PPD is received, which includes information about at least one process step PS or the entire manufacturing process PP, which produces at least two output materials within the manufacturing process PP, such as an intermediate I or said products P1, P2, P3. For example, the manufacturing process data PPD may be received by the processor 20 via the input interface 10, as described above.

[0078] In step S100B, at least information on the first allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 and the second allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 different from the first allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 is received. In other words, there may be at least one allocation rule AL that defines the distribution of greenhouse emissions between different products P1, P2, P3. For example, the allocation rule AL1, AL2, AL3 or information on it may be received by the processor 20 via the input interface 10 as described above. It should be noted that the first allocation rule may also simply mean "a" allocation rule, and the second allocation rule may simply mean "another" allocation rule that differs from the "a" allocation rule in at least one rule parameter.

[0079] It should be noted that method steps S100A and S100B may be performed simultaneously or in any order.

[0080] In step S200, at least two products P1, P2, P3 affected by the first allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 are determined based on the manufacturing process data PPD. With reference to FIG. 2, the allocation rule AL affects both products P1 and P2 as can be seen from the figure, so the affected products can be products P1 and P2. With reference to FIG. 3, the allocation rule AL affects both intermediates I1, I2 and products P1, P2 as can be seen from the figure, so the affected products can be intermediates I1 and / or I2, or products P1 and P2. With reference to FIG. 3, the situation can be more complicated because multiple allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 can affect some of the intermediates I1 to I5, some of the product steps PS1 to PS6, and / or some of the products P1 to P3.

[0081] 5, in step S300, for the affected products P1, P2, P3, a first PCF PCF1 is determined while applying the first allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 or "some" allocation rule. This determination may be made by the processor 20 as described above.

[0082] In step S400, for the affected products P1, P2, P3, a second PCF PCF2 is determined while applying the second allocation rules AL1, AL2, AL3 or "another" allocation rule. This determination may be made by the processor 20 as described above.

[0083] In step decision S500, an action instruction OI is determined based on a comparison of the first PCF PCF1 and the second PCF PCF2 with each other. This determination may be made by the processor 20 as described above.

[0084] In step S600, the determined operation instructions OI are output, which may be done by output interface 30 as described above, and which may be used to monitor and / or control the manufacturing process, such as via a manufacturing process control, ERP system, etc., as described above.

[0085] Additionally, the method may be modified in several ways as described above with respect to system 1.

[0086] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered as illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a computer for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process in which allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) are applied to allocate emissions contributing to the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products, Receiving manufacturing process data (PPD) which includes information about at least one process step that produces at least two output materials within the manufacturing process (S100A), Receiving a first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) and a second allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) that is different from the first allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S100B), Based on the manufacturing process data (PPD), determine at least two products (P1, P2, P3) that are affected by the first distribution rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S200), With respect to the affected products (P1, P2, P3), the first PCF (PCF1) is determined while applying the first allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S300), With respect to the affected products (P1, P2, P3), the second PCF (PCF2) is determined while applying the second allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) (S400), Based on a comparison of the first PCF (PCF1) and the second PCF (PCF2), an operation instruction (OI) is determined (S500), Outputting the determined operation command (OI) (S600), Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed during the manufacturing planning stage before the actual change from the first distribution rule to the second distribution rule.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein different first allocation rules and / or second allocation rules are received and / or applied to different process steps.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a target PCF is specified for at least one of the at least two different products, and the allocation rule suitable for achieving the target PCF is determined based on the determined operation command.

5. The at least one process step is associated with a plurality of allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3), and the method is The second PCF is compared with the PCF reference value associated with the product, To determine a specific allocation rule among the multiple allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) that bring the PCF of the aforementioned product closer to the PCF reference value, The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. The at least one process step is associated with a plurality of allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3), and the method is Based on the manufacturing process data (PPD), the product affected by the multiple distribution rules is determined, For the affected products, the first PCF (PCF1) is determined by applying one of the allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) to each of the multiple allocation rules. For the affected products, the second PCF (PCF2) is determined by applying each of the multiple allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3), Based on a comparison of the first PCF and the second PCF, the operation instruction (OI) is determined for each decision to apply the plurality of allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3), The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying the optimization algorithm in which a cost function is utilized to determine at least one allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) which is modified or replaced by another allocation rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) determined by the optimization algorithm to reduce or minimize the PCF, in at least one process step (PS) and / or in the manufacturing process.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation command (OI) is output via a user interface (UI).

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein information regarding the second allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) applied to determine the second PCF is received via a user interface (UI) configured to allow modification of at least the allocation rules for at least one process step.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising substituting the first allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) with the second allocation rules if the determined operation instruction (OI) satisfies the substitution criteria.

11. The first PCF and / or the second PCF, Receiving the carbon footprint of the raw materials used in at least one process step as input materials, Receiving energy data including information about energy consumption for at least one of the process steps, The first PCF and / or second PCF of the product are determined taking into account the manufacturing process data, the carbon footprint of the raw materials, and / or the energy data. The method according to claim 1, as determined by...

12. The use of an operating instruction (OI) determined by the method of claim 1 in monitoring and / or controlling a manufacturing process.

13. A non-temporary computer-readable data medium for storing a computer program which includes instructions for performing the steps of the method according to claim 1.

14. A system (1) for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a product using a manufacturing process to which allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) are applied to allocate emissions contributing to the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the product between at least two different products, An input interface (10) is configured to receive manufacturing process data (PPD) including information about at least one process step that produces at least two output materials within the manufacturing process, and a first distribution rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) and a second distribution rule (AL1, AL2, AL3) that is different from the first distribution rule (AL1, AL2, AL3), A processor (20), Based on the manufacturing process data (PPD), at least two products (P1, P2, P3) affected by the first distribution rules (AL1, AL2, AL3) are determined. For the affected products (P1, P2, P3), the first PCF (PCF1) is determined while applying the first allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3). For the affected products (P1, P2, P3), the second PCF (PCF2) is determined by applying the second allocation rules (AL1, AL2, AL3). A processor (20) is configured to determine an operation instruction (OI) based on a comparison of the first PCF (PCF1) and the second PCF (PCF2), An output interface (30) is configured to output the determined operation command (OI), A system that includes these features.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the output interface (30) includes at least a user interface (UI) configured to display the operation commands (OI) for further processing.

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