Early warning system for capability

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems for generating relaxation data that can function as a trigger to monitor and / or control the production of a chemical product based on the quantity (e.g., volume or quantity) requested by one or more downstream parties in a chemical supply chain involving the chemical product, and to adopt production so that the chemical product can be produced in the quantity and time required by one or more downstream parties, thereby avoiding capacity shortages. Further disclosures are made of the chemical product produced by the chemical production network using the relaxation data, and the use of the generated relaxation data to adapt the production of the chemical product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field Disclosed are a method, an apparatus, and a system for generating relaxation data that can function as an activation to monitor and / or control the production of chemical products based on the quantity (e.g., volume or amount) required by one or more downstream parties in a chemical supply chain related to chemical products, and to adapt production so that shortages are avoided and the chemical products can be produced in the quantity and within the period required by one or more downstream parties. Further disclosed is the use of the relaxation data in connection with chemical products produced by a chemical production network and the generated relaxation data for adapting the production of chemical products.

Background Art

[0002] Background Large-scale supply chains involve many different layers and variables that can affect the timeliness of supply chain steps. For example, large-scale supply chains typically include raw material suppliers, chemical product producers, chemical product consumers, and end-product manufacturers. Each of these components may be associated with many different factors that can also affect the demands of various supply chain parties and thus the production volumes of the upstream parties of such supply chain parties. For example, the demand of end-product consumers can directly affect the demand of end-product manufacturers and thus the demand of each upstream party of end-product manufacturers. Large fluctuations in the demand of downstream parties can cause idle capacity or, even more problematic, shortages on the upstream side, such as for chemical product producers. The shortages of chemical product producers can in turn have an adverse impact on the production and delivery steps of downstream parties in the supply chain.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the production operation of chemical product producers to match the quantity produced for one or more downstream parties.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] overview In one embodiment, the Disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of a chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the method is (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product to be provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, in particular a step of providing the target data from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node being associated with one or more downstream parties, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, a step of generating a digital twin associated with a chemical product produced, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0005] In one embodiment, the Disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of a chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the method is (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product that is provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the step of determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer that operates a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, a step of generating a digital twin associated with a chemical product produced, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0006] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of a chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the device is (a) A target data provision unit configured to provide target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, wherein the target data is provided from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node is linked to one or more downstream parties, (b) A data providing unit configured to provide one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of chemical products, wherein the digital representations include plant data linked to plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, (c) A production capacity shortage determination unit configured to determine a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, in particular a production capacity shortage determination unit in which the production chain is connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, (d) A data generation unit for mitigating capacity deficiency, If it is determined that there is a production capacity shortage, mitigation data will be generated that is linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters. • A capacity deficiency mitigation data generation unit configured to provide generated mitigation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products according to the mitigation data, (e) A digital twin generation unit optionally configured to generate a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0007] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of a chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the device is (a) A target data provision unit configured to provide target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the target data provision unit in which target data is provided by determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer operating a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) A data providing unit configured to provide one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of chemical products, wherein the digital representation includes plant data linked to plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, (c) A production capacity shortage determination unit configured to determine a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, in particular a production capacity shortage determination unit in which the production chain is connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, (d) A data generation unit for mitigating capacity deficiency, If it is determined that there is a production capacity shortage, mitigation data will be generated that is linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters. • A capacity deficiency mitigation data generation unit configured to provide generated mitigation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products according to the mitigation data, (e) A digital twin generation unit optionally configured to generate a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0008] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a device for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical products are produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the device comprises one or more computing nodes, and if executed by the one or more computing nodes, the device performs the following steps, i.e. (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product to be provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, in particular a step of providing the target data from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node being associated with one or more downstream parties, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, one or more computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions structured to perform the step of generating a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0009] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a device for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical products are produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the device comprises one or more computing nodes, and if executed by the one or more computing nodes, the device performs the following steps, namely: (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product that is provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the step of determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer that operates a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, one or more computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions structured to perform the step of generating a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the system is: (a) an apparatus for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, in accordance with the method disclosed herein. (b) A chemical production network, Receiving mitigation data or monitoring and / or control data generated in accordance with the methods disclosed herein, A network configured to produce chemical products from one or more input raw materials via one or more chemical intermediates, (c) A digital twin generation unit optionally configured to generate a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention is a computer-implemented method for adapting the production of a chemical product to generate mitigation data for producing an amount of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream participants, wherein the chemical product is produced from input materials via chemical intermediates by a chemical production network, and the method comprises: (a) providing target data from one or more downstream participants for the chemical product provided to the downstream participants over one or more periods, particularly where the target data is provided via peer-to-peer communication from a computing node of a decentralized network, and provided in a state where the computing node is associated with one or more downstream participants; (b) providing one or more digital representations associated with the production chain used in the production of the chemical product, the digital representation including plant data associated with the plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, particularly provided in a state where the production chain is connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates; (c) determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation; (d) generating mitigation data associated with mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters when it is determined that there is a production capacity shortage; (e) providing the generated mitigation data to adapt the production of the chemical product in accordance with the mitigation data; (f) optionally, generating a digital twin associated with the produced chemical product, the digital twin including a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and generating the digital twin in a state where the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream participants, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0012] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the method is: (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product that is provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the step of determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer that operates a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, a step of generating a digital twin associated with a chemical product produced, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device associated with the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0013] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the apparatus comprises one or more computing nodes, and if executed by the one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps, namely, (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product to be provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, in particular a step of providing the target data from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node being associated with one or more downstream parties, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, one or more computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions structured to perform the step of generating a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the apparatus comprises one or more computing nodes, and if executed by the one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps, namely, (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product that is provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the step of determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer that operates a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) Providing one or more digital representations associated with a production chain used in the production of a chemical product, wherein the digital representations include plant data associated with plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and are provided in a manner in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates. (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step is to generate mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A step of providing generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products in accordance with the relaxation data, (f) optionally, one or more computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions structured to perform the step of generating a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, and the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0015] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the apparatus (a) A target data provision unit configured to provide target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, wherein the target data is provided from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node is linked to one or more downstream parties, (b) A data providing unit configured to provide one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of chemical products, wherein the digital representations include plant data linked to plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and in particular a data providing unit in which production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, (c) A production capacity shortage determination unit configured to determine production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) A data generation unit for mitigating capacity deficiency, If it is determined that there is a production capacity shortage, mitigation data will be generated that is linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters. • A capacity deficiency mitigation data generation unit configured to provide generated mitigation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products according to the mitigation data, (e) A digital twin generation unit optionally configured to generate a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0016] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the apparatus (a) A target data provision unit configured to provide target data from one or more downstream parties for a chemical product provided to downstream parties over one or more periods, the target data provision unit in which target data is provided by determining an endpoint address associated with a chemical product producer operating a chemical production network via a decentralized network, and providing the target data to the determined endpoint address via the decentralized network, (b) A data providing unit configured to provide one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of chemical products, wherein the digital representations include plant data linked to plants forming the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain, and in particular, the data providing unit in which the production chains are connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, (c) A production capacity shortage determination unit configured to determine production capacity shortage based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, (d) A data generation unit for mitigating capacity deficiency, If it is determined that there is a production capacity shortage, mitigation data will be generated that is linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters. • A capacity deficiency mitigation data generation unit configured to provide generated mitigation data in order to adapt the production of chemical products according to the mitigation data, (e) A digital twin generation unit optionally configured to generate a digital twin associated with a manufactured chemical product, wherein the digital twin includes a decentralized identifier and chemical product data associated with the chemical product, the digital twin is stored in a data storage device linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream parties, and access to the stored digital twin is controlled by the chemical product producer via the decentralized identifier.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of relaxation data generated by a computer-implemented method disclosed herein or by an apparatus disclosed herein that adapts the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to chemical products produced by a chemical production network using relaxation data generated by a computer-implemented method or apparatus disclosed herein.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the Disclosure relates to computer elements such as computer-readable storage media, computer programs, or computer program products that, if executed by a computing node or computing system, include instructions that instruct a computing node or computing system to perform steps of the computer implementation methods disclosed herein.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the Disclosure relates to computer elements such as computer-readable storage media, computer programs, or computer program products, which, if executed by the apparatus or system disclosed herein, include instructions that instruct the apparatus or system to perform steps configured for the apparatus or system disclosed herein to perform.

[0021] Any disclosures, embodiments, and examples described herein relate to the methods, apparatus, systems, chemical products, uses, and computer elements described above and below. Advantageously, the advantages of any embodiment and example are equally applicable to all other embodiments and examples.

[0022] Embodiment To avoid capacity shortages that negatively impact downstream stakeholders before the final product is produced, and therefore to ensure the reliable production of chemical products based on the quantities (e.g., volume or quantity) required by these downstream stakeholders, we propose generating mitigation data to adapt production to avoid capacity shortages using a data-driven method. By providing target data via a decentralized network, the target data can be provided in a safe, reliable, and standardized manner from downstream stakeholders operating the chemical production network to product producers. By making the endpoints for providing target data within the decentralized network public by chemical product producers, downstream stakeholders can reliably identify these endpoints and provide their respective target data to these endpoints in a safe, reliable, and standardized manner without the need for chemical product producers to request such data via the decentralized network. In this way, the reliable provision of target data in a safe and standardized manner can be achieved, allowing chemical product producers to efficiently determine capacity shortages and generate mitigation data if a capacity shortage is determined. This avoids supply chain disruptions caused by capacity bottlenecks, thus ensuring that downstream stakeholders can produce products reliably and stably. By employing a data-driven approach that incorporates a digital representation of production chains involved in the production of chemical products, capacity shortages occurring in one or more production chains can be reliably identified. Particularly in the case of chemical production networks that produce multiple chemical products from multiple input raw materials through interconnected and linked production chains, using one or more digital representations allows for the flexible distribution of intermediates necessary for chemical product production from one production chain to another, while avoiding capacity shortages within the production chain and / or adverse effects on the quantity of other chemical products produced by such production chains, so as to ensure that the quantity of chemical product required by downstream stakeholders is produced. For example, chemical product production can be adapted to distribute intermediates necessary for chemical product production from the first production chain to the second production chain so that the output (e.g., chemical product) of the second production chain can be increased to meet the target quantity required by downstream stakeholders.By executing a virtual production process using one or more digital representations to virtually produce quantities of chemicals for a future period requested by one or more downstream stakeholders, capacity shortages occurring in one or more parts of the production chain can be identified. Using the identified capacity shortages, mitigation data can be generated, linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemicals, production time, and / or production location. This allows production to be adapted to ensure the production of quantities of chemicals for a future period requested by one or more downstream stakeholders while simultaneously avoiding the identified capacity shortages. Such capacity shortage mitigation data may be determined by selecting the optimal mitigation data to improve the identified capacity shortage using a dataset containing candidate mitigation data linked to the determined capacity shortage. By using one or more digital representations of the production chain, the impact of candidate mitigations on the production of other chemicals produced by such production chains can be determined and considered during the selection of appropriate mitigation data to improve the identified capacity shortages. This reduces or eliminates bottom-level equilibrium effects that could lead to capacity shortages of other chemicals produced by the chemical production network. The approach proposed herein ensures reliable and timely production of chemical products based on the quantities required by downstream parties, thereby preventing capacity shortages from negatively impacting the production of said downstream parties all the way to the final product manufacturer.

[0023] The following describes several embodiments of this disclosure by example. Please understand that this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and / or examples.

[0024] A chemical product may include any substance produced by a chemical production network using at least one input raw material, or it may be the substance itself. A chemical product may include any output product of a chemical production network (e.g., chemical intermediates and chemical products), or it may be the output product itself. A chemical product or output substance may be produced from input raw materials via one or more chemical intermediates. A chemical product may be produced from input raw materials via one or more chemical and / or physical processes. A chemical process may include a chemical reaction. A chemical reaction may include any chemical reaction known in the art in which reactants are converted into one or more different chemical products. A chemical reaction may include the use of catalysts, enzymes, bacteria, etc., to achieve the chemical reaction between reactants. A physical process may include mixing, separation, and / or extrusion.

[0025] The required or target chemical products may include chemical products produced for use by downstream parties. The required or target quantities may include quantities of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties.

[0026] The input materials may include any non-discrete substances, for example, a continuous mass of solid or liquid raw materials. The input materials may include starting materials used in any process carried out in a chemical production network to produce a chemical product. The input materials may be chemical intermediates (e.g., chemical intermediates). The input materials may be chemical raw materials such as natural, organic or inorganic chemical raw materials. The input materials may be unused raw materials, for example, input materials that have not previously gone through a production and use cycle, especially those that have not been used in a process and / or. The input materials may be recycled raw materials that have gone through at least one recycling step. The input materials may be selected from petrochemical raw materials such as naphtha and natural gas, or intermediates from such raw materials that require a certain amount of naphtha, crude oil and natural gas. The input materials may be selected from natural raw materials such as vegetable oils, biologics and / or naturally occurring inorganic or organic chemical raw materials, or intermediates from such natural raw materials that require a certain amount of vegetable oils, biologics and / or naturally occurring inorganic or organic chemical materials. The input raw materials may include, or may be, any input raw materials that are introduced into the chemical product network and provided at any input point in the chemical product network. The input raw materials may be any raw materials introduced at the system boundary of the chemical production network.

[0027] The produced chemical product may be provided or supplied to one or more downstream parties in the chemical supply chain. One or more downstream parties may use the provided or supplied chemical product. One or more downstream parties may be downstream producers. One or more downstream parties may be downstream users. One or more downstream parties may operate a consumption site configured to consume or use the supplied chemical product. The consumption site may be a further chemical production site or an assembly product production site. The assembly product may be any product linked to a separate physical unit. Assembly manufacturing, in contrast to process manufacturing, uses such assembly products to assemble other assembly products. Chemical production, in contrast, uses process manufacturing in which raw materials are mixed and chemically converted into chemical products. The supplied chemical product may be consumed at the consumption site (for example, used in at least one production step performed within the consumption site).

[0028] The quantity produced for one or more downstream stakeholders (e.g., target quantity) may correspond to the amount or planned amount of chemical product used. The amount or planned amount of chemical product used may be compared to the amount of chemical product available or planned to be available at a storage location linked to one or more downstream stakeholders. Target data may be generated based on current or planned storage data linked to the chemical product, and the current or planned amount of chemical product used within a given future period. Target data may be generated based on a request to initiate the production of the chemical product. Target data may be generated based on a request to initiate production involving the use of the chemical product.

[0029] A digital representation linked to a production chain involved in the production of chemical products may correspond to a digital twin of such a production chain. A production chain can produce one or more output products, including chemical products requested by downstream stakeholders. A production chain can produce one or more chemical intermediates necessary for the production of a requested chemical product from one or more input materials. Therefore, different production chains may be interconnected through chemical intermediates used in the production of multiple output products, including a requested chemical product. A digital representation of a production chain may correspond to a digital twin of such a production chain. A digital twin of a chemical product may be a digital representation of the physical entity of the chemical product, with a defined semantic description of the said physical entity. A digital twin or digital representation of a physical entity of a chemical product is therefore a digital version of the said physical entity. Once a digital twin is created, it can be used to represent the physical entity of a production chain in a digital representation of a real-world chemical product that includes the production chain. A digital twin may be uniquely associated with the physical entity of a production chain via an identifier. A digital twin may be created to be identical in form and behavior to the corresponding physical entity of the production chain. Furthermore, a digital twin may reflect the characteristics of the physical entities of the production chain during its lifetime (e.g., its existence). For example, sensors may acquire real-time (or near real-time) data such as production data and / or operating parameters from the physical entities of the production chain and send it back to the remote digital twin. The digital twin may then be updated to maintain correspondence with the physical production chain. Thus, the digital twin can represent the current state of the physical entities of the production chain at any time. A digital twin may include digital twins of one or more devices or plants used to perform the production steps of the production chain. A digital twin may include chemical product identifiers so that the digital twin can be associated with chemical products linked to the production chain (e.g., products that can be produced by the production chain). A digital twin may be associated with digital twins of one or more plants used to perform the production steps of the production chain.For example, the digital twin may include an identifier linked to the digital twin of the plant, and therefore the digital twin can be collected using the identifier.

[0030] One or more digital representations may include plant data linked to plants used within the production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain. One or more digital representations may further be linked to chemical product identifiers of chemical products or output products produced by the production chain. One or more digital representations may be linked to input material identifiers of input materials consumed by the production chain. One or more digital representations may be linked to chemical intermediate identifiers linked to chemical intermediates produced and / or consumed within the production chain. One or more digital representations of chemical production chains may be provided based on data included in the provided target data. For example, by using the chemical product identifiers included in the provided target data and comparing them with the chemical product identifiers included in one or more digital representations, digital representations linked to production chains used in the production of chemical products can be collected. For each production chain linked to the collected digital representations, it can be determined that there is insufficient production capacity. This allows for the selection of production chains linked to sufficient capacity. This allows production to be adapted if one or more production chains are found to have insufficient production capacity. Adaptation may include the step of delivering chemical intermediates to different production chains to achieve the quantity of output products (e.g., target chemical products) required by downstream stakeholders.

[0031] A production chain may include one or more plants. A production chain may include one or more chemical and / or physical processes. One or more chemical and / or physical processes may be carried out by one or more plants. A production chain can produce one or more output products from input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates. Output products can be produced through one or more chemical and / or physical processes. A plant may include one or more devices configured to carry out one or more chemical and / or physical processes. A production chain used to produce a target chemical product may include a production chain that produces a chemical product as an output product from one or more input raw materials and / or one or more chemical intermediates. A production chain used to produce a target chemical product may include a production chain that produces from one or more input raw materials necessary for the production of the target chemical product. A production chain may be connected via chemical intermediates used in multiple production chains to produce multiple output products, including the target chemical product.

[0032] The capacity threshold may include, or be tied to, the maximum quantity of products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or chemical products, including target chemical products) that can be produced by a given plant or production chain within a given period. The maximum quantity may depend on chemical and / or physical processes performed within the given plant or production chain, and / or parameters tied to the plant and / or production chain. The parameters may include the labor hours available for plant operation within a given period. The given period may be tied to the time required to produce a specified quantity of the products. The capacity threshold may include, or be tied to, a given percentage of the maximum quantity of products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or chemical products, including target chemical products) that can be produced by a given plant or production chain within a given period. For example, the capacity threshold may include, or be tied to, 80% of the maximum quantity. This allows the sensitivity of the warning system to be adjusted to, for example, the time required to respond to a determined production capacity shortage. The capacity threshold may also include, or be linked to, the minimum quantity of input raw materials required to produce a specified quantity of the output product. Using capacity thresholds per production chain and / or per plant allows for a higher level of granularity in determining capacity deficits compared to using capacity thresholds per chemical production network. This higher level of granularity allows for mitigating such capacity deficits without adversely impacting other production processes within the chemical production network, such as production processes running within the same production chain or plant and / or production process using the same intermediates used in the production of chemical products.

[0033] A shortage of output material capacity may be linked to the quantity of output material that can be produced by the plant and / or production chain used to produce that output material. The output material may include chemical intermediates and / or chemical products including target chemical products. Therefore, a shortage may occur if the quantity of chemical products for one or more periods requested by one or more downstream stakeholders exceeds the requested quantity of chemical products that can be produced by the chemical production network within the said period. This difference may be due to constraints on input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates (e.g., raw material shortages) and / or constraints on the plant and / or production chain linked to the production of the output product linked to the target data (e.g., insufficient production capacity).

[0034] Relaxation measures regarding input raw materials may include measures regarding the amount of input raw materials used. Measures regarding the amount of input raw materials used may include a step of adapting the allocation of input raw materials to production chains and / or plants. For example, the quantity of input raw materials allocated to a production chain involved in the production of a requested chemical product may be adapted so that the requested quantity of chemical product can be produced by the production chain over a period of one or more units. Measures regarding chemical intermediates may include measures regarding the amount of chemical intermediates used. For example, the allocation of chemical intermediates to production chains and / or plants may be adapted. For example, chemical intermediates may be allocated to one or more production chains involved in the production of a requested chemical product so that the requested quantity of chemical product can be produced by the production chain over a period of one or more units. In another example, an increased quantity of chemical intermediates may be allocated to one or more production chains. In yet another example, chemical intermediates may be reallocated, for example, at least a portion of the production quantity of chemical intermediates may be delivered to different production chains so that the requested quantity of chemical product can be produced by those different production chains over a period of one or more units. Measures relating to chemical products may include measures relating to the quantity of chemical products used. For example, the quantity of a chemical product that can be produced by one or more production chains for multiple downstream stakeholders may be allocated to one or more specific downstream stakeholders so as to increase the quantity of chemical products that can be produced for such downstream stakeholders. Measures relating to production parameters may include measures relating to production schedules, production locations, and / or processing parameters. For example, the production of a requested or target chemical product may be scheduled earlier so as to enable the production of a large quantity of the chemical product within a period specified by one or more downstream stakeholders. In another example, at least a portion of production may be allocated to different production locations, such as different production sites. These different production locations may have available production capacity for such chemical products, or may be able to produce at least a portion of the target quantity of the chemical product within a period specified by one or more downstream stakeholders. In yet another example, processing parameters used by one or more plants may be adapted to increase the quantity of chemical products that can be produced by the plants.

[0035] Chemical producers that produce the target chemical product (e.g., entities operating a chemical production network that produces the target chemical product) and one or more downstream stakeholders may be part of the product ecosystem. The product ecosystem may include different stages, including manufacturing, use, and reuse. One or more ecosystem stakeholders may contribute to the manufacturing, use, or reuse of the product at these stages. For example, the manufacturing stage may include raw material manufacturers, intermediate material manufacturers, and / or final product manufacturers. Furthermore, for example, the use stage may include product users, product maintenance providers, and / or product distributors. Furthermore, for example, the reuse stage may include recovery providers, sorting providers, dismantling providers, recyclers, restoration providers, and / or refurbishment providers.

[0036] Parties to the product ecosystem may be connected via a decentralized network. The decentralized network may include computing nodes associated with the product ecosystem participants and may be configured to execute data transactions. Computing nodes associated with the product ecosystem participants may be associated with producers, users, or reusers of physical products, such as chemical product producers, intermediate product producers, final product producers, final product users, used product users, or product reusers. Data transactions may be based on a transaction protocol that includes authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Peer-to-peer communication between computing nodes associated with the product ecosystem participants may be established based on the authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Each node in the decentralized network associated with the product ecosystem participants may be configured as a decentralized data consumption network node and / or a decentralized data provision network node.

[0037] One or more authentication mechanisms may be linked to or associated with a decentralized identifier linked to each physical entity of a raw material, chemical intermediate, chemical product, finished product, or end-of-life product. The decentralized identifier can uniquely identify each physical entity within a decentralized network. The decentralized identifier can link each physical entity of a raw material, chemical product, intermediate product, finished product, or end-of-life product to its respective raw material data, chemical product data, intermediate product data, finished product data, or end-of-life product data. The decentralized identifier may include one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) and / or one or more decentralized identifiers (DIDs). One or more authentication mechanisms linked to a decentralized identifier may be provided to the relevant nodes. One or more authentication mechanisms linked to a decentralized identifier may be accessible by decentralized data providing network nodes and / or decentralized data consuming network nodes. The decentralized configuration enables more efficient use of computing resources and enhances control by data owners in the decentralized network.

[0038] One or more authorization mechanisms may include at least one authorization rule that controls data owners' access to data. Computing nodes associated with stakeholders in the product ecosystem may be configured to provide decentralized data consumption network nodes and / or decentralized data delivery network nodes. Decentralized data delivery network nodes may be configured to provide or transmit data to other stakeholder nodes in the decentralized network. Decentralized data consumption network nodes may be configured to retrieve or receive data from other stakeholder nodes in the decentralized network. Providing data to a decentralized data delivery network node for access by a decentralized data consumption network node may include indirect or direct access to the data at the decentralized data consumption network node. Indirect access may include access to the data via a decentralized data delivery network node associated with the data owner of the data.

[0039] Target data provided by or from one or more downstream stakeholders may be linked to a target quantity of chemical products and one or more time periods. The one or more time periods may be linked to the target quantity of chemical products supplied to one or more downstream stakeholders over those time periods, for example, the target quantity of a target chemical product.

[0040] In one embodiment, target data is provided via peer-to-peer communication from a computing node in a decentralized network, which is linked to one or more downstream parties. The target data can be provided from a decentralized data-providing network node linked to one or more downstream parties to a decentralized data-consuming network node linked to a chemical producer operating a chemical production network. The decentralized data-providing network node and the decentralized data-consuming network node may be part of a decentralized network. The target data may be generated by one or more downstream parties. The target data may be generated on behalf of one or more downstream parties. The decentralized data-consuming network node may be configured to transfer the received data to an application configured to perform the method disclosed herein. The decentralized data-consuming network node may be configured to store the received data in a database linked to the operating system of the chemical production network.

[0041] The target data may correspond to a target dataset for which a semantic description of the target data is defined. The target data may be generated by applying a data model for which a semantic description is defined to the collected target data. The data model may include the structure of at least a portion of the dataset and / or the characteristics of the dataset. The characteristics of the target dataset may include data types. The characteristics of the dataset may include possible or acceptable values ​​and / or ranges of values. The characteristics of the dataset may be physical units of parameters described by the values ​​contained in the dataset. The characteristics of the target dataset may include one or more attributes. By using a target dataset for which a semantic description is defined, it is ensured that the target data is provided in a uniform and harmonized data format, thus enabling efficient processing of the provided target data without requiring data transformation to harmonize the provided target data into a uniform data format in order to determine production capacity shortages based on the provided demand data.

[0042] In one embodiment, the target data includes a decentralized identifier, data linked to a chemical product, and target quantity and time period data for the chemical product.

[0043] A decentralized identifier can uniquely identify target data, particularly target datasets, within a decentralized network. A decentralized identifier may contain one or more UUIDs and / or DIDs. The decentralized identifier may be generated at any point before providing target data to chemical producers operating a chemical production network. For example, the decentralized identifier may be generated at the time of target data generation.

[0044] Data associated with a chemical product may include data indicating the chemical producer that produces the target chemical product and / or location data associated with the location in the chemical production network. Data indicating the chemical producer that produces the target chemical product may include the name of the chemical producer, a decentralized stakeholder identifier associated with the chemical producer, or a combination thereof. The decentralized identifier can uniquely identify a chemical producer within the decentralized network. The decentralized stakeholder identifier may include letters, numbers, symbols, or a combination thereof.

[0045] Data associated with chemical products may include data indicating downstream stakeholders who process or use target chemical products produced and supplied by chemical product producers. Data indicating downstream stakeholders may include the names of downstream stakeholders, decentralized stakeholder identifiers associated with those downstream stakeholders, or a combination thereof. Decentralized identifiers can uniquely identify each downstream stakeholder within a decentralized network.

[0046] Data linked to chemical products may include target chemical product identifiers linked to or used by each downstream party and / or chemical product identifiers linked to or used by chemical product producers. The chemical product identifiers linked to or used by chemical product producers and the target chemical product identifiers linked to or used by each downstream party may be different from each other. Therefore, it may be necessary to include both identifiers to ensure the unique identification of the target chemical product to which the provided target data is linked.

[0047] Data associated with chemical products may include data indicating chemical producers that produce the target chemical product and / or location data associated with the location in the chemical production network, data indicating downstream stakeholders, target chemical product identifiers associated with or used by each downstream stakeholder and / or chemical product identifiers associated with or used by chemical producers.

[0048] The target quantity of a chemical product may correspond to the amount or planned amount of the chemical product used at a location linked to one or more downstream stakeholders. The target quantity may therefore refer to a target chemical product that has not yet been received at a location linked to one or more downstream stakeholders, for example, a target chemical product that has not yet been produced and / or supplied by a chemical product producer.

[0049] Period data may include periods linked to target data. Periods may correspond to future periods, for example, future periods with respect to the point in time linked to the provision of target data. Periods may include periods exceeding 12 weeks in the future. Periods may include periods up to 12 months in the future. Periods may include periods up to 24 months in the future. Periods may include periods exceeding 12 weeks in the future and periods up to 12 months in the future. Periods may include periods exceeding 12 weeks in the future and periods up to 24 months in the future.

[0050] In one embodiment, the period includes a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future. In one embodiment, the period includes a period of up to 12 months in the future. In another embodiment, the period includes a period of up to 24 months in the future. In one embodiment, the period includes a period exceeding 12 weeks and up to 12 months. In another embodiment, the period includes a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future and a period of up to 24 months in the future. Receiving target data that includes a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future makes it possible to produce target chemical products using the chemical production network over such a period. On the other hand, if the provided target data includes a shorter period, it may be necessary to supply one or more downstream parties with chemical products available within the storage location linked to the chemical production network, as the production of the chemical product may take longer than the institution.

[0051] In one embodiment, the provided target data is aggregated. Aggregation may be performed before determining a production capacity shortage. Aggregation may include aggregation of one or more quantities included in the provided target data. The provided target data may be aggregated based on the period data included in the provided target data. For example, target data received for different periods can be aggregated to obtain aggregated target data for the aggregated periods. The provided target data may be aggregated based on data associated with the chemical products included in the provided target data. For example, target data provided by multiple downstream stakeholders for a specific target chemical product can be aggregated to obtain aggregated target data for such target chemical product. The provided target data may be aggregated based on the downstream stakeholders providing the target data. For example, all target data provided by downstream stakeholders may be aggregated. Aggregation can determine the total quantity of target chemical products that need to be produced to meet the quantities for one or more periods requested by one or more downstream stakeholders for one or more periods.

[0052] One or more digital representations may include plant data associated with plants forming a production chain and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain. In one embodiment, the plant data may include plant identifiers associated with plants forming a production chain. The plant data may further include plant parameters. The plant parameters may include maintenance data, operating time, size, identifiers associated with the products that can be produced by the plant, identifiers associated with the input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates used by the plant, recipe data associated with recipes used during production performed within the plant, construction data, operating parameters, or a combination thereof. The recipe may specify the input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates and associated quantities. The recipe may further specify the associated products. The operating parameters may include the yield (e.g., quantity) of the products that can be produced by the plant and / or the current production capacity of the plant.

[0053] In one embodiment, one or more digital representations may be provided based on provided target data. For example, one or more digital representations may be selected from a plurality of digital representations linked to the production chain of a chemical production network based on data linked to target chemical products included in the provided target data. The data linked to target chemical products may include chemical product identifiers linked to the target chemical products. Using such chemical product identifiers, such digital representations linked to matching chemical product identifiers can be selected. Therefore, chemical product identifiers included in the provided target data may be mapped to chemical product identifiers included in the plurality of digital representations, and digital representations containing matching chemical product identifiers may be selected and provided. The plurality of digital representations may be stored in a data storage medium such as a database linked to one or more operating systems that operate the chemical production network.

[0054] In one embodiment, the digital representation includes mapping data for at least a portion of the plant that maps the quantities of input raw materials (e.g., raw materials and / or chemical intermediates) to the quantities of target output products (e.g., chemical products including chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products). The mapping data may further include chemical product identifiers that associate the mapping data with the chemical product to which the mapping data is linked. The mapping data may be generated by a virtual production module.

[0055] In one embodiment, the digital representation further includes mapping data that maps quantities of target chemicals for a given future period to target production data for at least a portion of a plant and / or production chain. The mapping data may be generated by a virtual production module. By using the mapping data, target production data can be quickly and reliably determined for at least a portion of a plant and / or production chain linked to the production of target chemicals, based on the quantities included in the mapping data.

[0056] A chemical production network may include multiple types of production processes that produce different chemical products or output products from input raw materials. A chemical production network may include a complex production network that produces multiple chemical products (output products) in multiple production or value chains. A production or value chain may include one or more processes configured to produce one type of chemical product or chemical product class from one or more types of input raw materials. A chemical production network can produce multiple output products from input raw materials. The output products may correspond to intermediates and / or chemical products. A chemical production network can produce multiple intermediates from input raw materials, and multiple output products from said intermediates. A chemical production network may include connected, interconnected, and / or disconnected production chains. In one embodiment, production chains may be connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, for example, chemical intermediates may be used in two or more production chains to produce multiple output products. Thus, the produced chemical intermediates may be used in multiple production chains that produce multiple output products. The production chain included in a chemical production network may be defined by the physical system boundary of the chemical production network. The system boundary may be defined by the location or control of the production process. The system boundary may be defined by the location of the chemical production network. The system boundary may be defined by a production process controlled by one entity alone or jointly by multiple entities. The system boundary may be defined by a value chain having time-staggered production processes to the final product, which may be jointly or separately controlled by multiple entities. The chemical production network may include steps such as waste recovery and sorting, recycling steps such as pyrolysis, cracking steps such as steam cracking, provided inbound raw materials, separation steps for separating intermediates of one process step, and further process steps that convert such outputs into chemical products that are transported out of the system boundary of the chemical production network. Input raw materials may be introduced into the chemical production network at the input point. Chemical products may be transported out of the production network at the output point (or transport point).

[0057] A chemical production network may include one or more input points where input materials are supplied to the chemical production network. These input materials may include raw materials or chemical intermediates. The input materials may be supplied to a plant that performs the first production step of a production chain linked to a chemical product.

[0058] In one embodiment, the step of determining a production capacity shortage is: The steps include determining target production data for one or more periods for a production chain and / or plant linked to a provided digital representation, based on the provided target data or aggregated data and the provided digital representation, The process includes the step of comparing the determined target production data with capacity thresholds associated with the production chain and / or plant.

[0059] The plant may be determined before determining the production capacity data based on the plant data included in the provided digital representation. For example, each plant may be identified using the plant identifier included in the provided digital representation. A production capacity deficit may be determined if the determined target production data for at least one production chain and / or plant associated with the provided digital representation exceeds at least one capacity threshold.

[0060] The step of determining target production data is: The steps include: determining target production data by determining the required quantity of one or more units of an output product for a period of time for the production chain and / or plant, based on the provided digital representation and target or aggregated data; The steps include determining whether to produce further output products through the production chain and / or plant, The method may include the step of determining the quantity of additional products to be produced over one or more periods, based on the determination to produce additional products, and then determining the additional production data by summing the target production data and additional production data for one or more periods.

[0061] The output products may correspond to chemical intermediates and target chemical products linked to the target chemical product. Further output products may correspond to chemical intermediates and further chemical products linked to further chemical products different from the target chemical product. By considering further output products produced by such a production chain, it is ensured that capacity shortages can be reliably identified within a complex chemical production network that produces multiple different chemical products from various input raw materials via one or more chemical intermediates.

[0062] Target production data may be determined based on storage data linked to available target chemical products located in chemical storage facilities linked to the chemical production network. Target production data may be determined based on determination storage data linked to one or more period-long available target chemical products located in chemical storage facilities linked within the chemical production network. Storage data linked to available target chemicals may be considered when determining target production data. Therefore, the quantity of target chemicals produced can be reduced by the quantity of available target chemicals that are present or expected to be present in the chemical storage facility for one or more periods. Available target chemicals may refer to target chemicals that have not been allocated or distributed to downstream stakeholders.

[0063] In one embodiment, a production capacity shortage is determined via a virtual production process using provided digital representations and provided target data or aggregated data. Virtual production may refer to receiving target data or aggregated data and one or more digital representations of a target chemical product, and virtually producing the quantity of output products required to produce a target quantity of the target chemical product. The output products may include chemical intermediates and the target chemical product necessary for its production. The virtual production process may be executed by a virtual production module configured to receive target data or aggregated data and provided digital representations, and to produce the respective quantities of input raw materials and output products. The virtual production module may be configured to determine the production chain and associated plants linked to the production of the target chemical product based on the provided digital representations. The virtual production module may be configured to determine the input raw materials and data associated with each quantity used within each plant. The input raw materials may be raw materials and / or chemical intermediates necessary for the production of the target chemical product that are fed into the system boundary of the chemical production network. The virtual production module may be configured to determine data associated with output products and the respective quantities used within each plant. Output products may be chemical intermediates or target chemical products. The virtual production module may be configured to determine target production data from the determined production chain and / or plant, the determined output product, and the respective associated quantities for one or more periods. The virtual production module may be configured to determine target production data based on production data associated with the production of further chemical products (output products) produced by a production chain separate from the plant or target chemical product. Therefore, the target production data may correspond to the sum of the target production data for each output product produced by each of the plants or production chains over one or more periods.

[0064] Target production data may be determined for each period included in the provided target data or aggregated data. This ensures a higher level of granularity because capacity shortages can be determined for all periods included in the provided target data or aggregated data.

[0065] In one embodiment, the step of generating relaxation data is: • Generation of warning message data and / or The process includes the step of generating monitoring and / or control data to adapt the production of a chemical product (e.g., a target chemical product).

[0066] Warning message data may include data indicating a chemical product and data indicating a determined capacity shortage. Data indicating a chemical product may include the chemical product name, chemical product ID, order number associated with the production of the chemical product, data indicating one or more downstream stakeholders associated with the provided target data, or a combination thereof. Data indicating a determined capacity shortage may include data associated with the plant and / or production chain where the determined production capacity data has reached or exceeded the capacity threshold. Data associated with a plant may include a plant identifier. Data associated with a production chain may include a production chain identifier. Production may be adapted to enable the production of target quantities of target chemical products for one or more periods linked to the provided target data or aggregated data. Adaptation of production may include implementing mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, target chemical products and / or production parameters, as described above.

[0067] In one embodiment, the step of generating relaxation data is: The steps include: identifying one or more datasets containing candidate mitigation data linked to the determined production capacity shortage; The steps include: determining the estimated impact on each candidate mitigation data in the dataset based on the candidate mitigation data, the provided target data or aggregated data, and the provided digital representation; This includes the step of identifying target mitigation data from a dataset based on a comparison of the estimated impact on the mitigation data.

[0068] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions to further reduce the production of chemical products (e.g., production quantities) for plants and / or production chains involved in the production of one or more target chemical products over a period of time. Instructions may include one or more conditions that constrain each quantity reduction. Constraints may relate to a minimum quantity of further output products that cannot be deficient. This helps to avoid the excessively negative impact of further reductions in chemical product production. The reduction in the production of further output products can increase the production capacity of output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products) linked to the provided target data.

[0069] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions for allocating production of output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products) linked to the provided target data. Production allocation may include a step of allocating production of output products linked to the provided target data to different chemical production plants or chemical production networks located in different geographical locations than the chemical production plants used to determine production capacity data. This makes it possible to shift production to different chemical production plants or chemical production networks, thus avoiding a shortage of production capacity in a chemical production network while having available production capacity in another chemical production plant or chemical production network. Instructions may include one or more conditions that constrain each allocation. The constraints may relate to certification data linked to the production of the target chemical product. Such certification data may indicate certifications required or requested by one or more downstream stakeholders of the chemical product producer. Using such constraints, it is possible to ensure that production allocation still satisfies the certifications related to the production of the target chemical product that are required or requested by one or more downstream stakeholders. Production allocation may include a step of allocating the production of further output products produced by the production chain and / or plants involved in the production of the target chemical product to further chemical production. This can increase the production capacity of the production chain and / or plants to produce the target chemical product by shifting the production capacity of further output products to other chemical production or chemical production networks. The instruction may include one or more rules indicating the priority associated with each allocation. Production allocation may include a step of allocating the production of output products associated with the provided target data over time. This may include a step of changing the production order of the output products produced by the production chain and / or plants.

[0070] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions that consider storage data associated with available target chemicals located in chemical storage facilities linked to a chemical production network and / or storage data associated with one or more periods of available target chemicals located in chemical storage facilities linked within a chemical production network. Instructions may include rules that indicate the conditions under which such storage quantities can be considered.

[0071] The steps for determining the estimated impact are: The steps include: determining target production data for the production chain and / or plant based on candidate relaxation data, provided target data or aggregated data and provided digital representations; The process includes the step of determining the estimated impact by comparing at least a portion of the determined target production data with a capacity threshold.

[0072] The step of determining target production data may include a step of recalculating previously determined target production data while considering (e.g., using) each candidate relaxation data. For example, previously determined target production data may be recalculated using instructions to reduce the production of further output products. The recalculation may include a step of determining target production data using one or more conditions (or constraints) included in the candidate relaxation data to avoid capacity shortages for further output products or in chemical production / chemical production networks located at different geographical locations. In this way, the impact of relaxation candidates on the production of other chemical products produced by such production chains may be considered when selecting appropriate relaxation data to improve identified capacity shortages. This can reduce or eliminate equilibrium effects on the bottom level that may cause capacity shortages of other chemical products produced by the chemical production network.

[0073] The estimated impact may correspond to a score. The score may be based on the deviation of the target production data from the capacity threshold. The score may indicate the extent to which the candidate mitigation data improves the determined capacity shortage. The estimated impact may be a classifier that classifies whether the candidate mitigation data is suitable for eliminating or removing the determined capacity shortage. The classifier may be "appropriate" or "inappropriate". The classifier may be linked to the determination that the determined target production data is below the capacity threshold. For example, if the determined target production data is below at least a portion of the capacity threshold, the estimated impact may be assigned the classifier "appropriate".

[0074] Identifying target mitigation data may include a step of selecting candidate mitigation data associated with the best estimated impact. For example, candidate mitigation data associated with the classifier "appropriate" may be selected. In another example, candidate mitigation data associated with the best impact score may be selected. The best impact score may refer to the score associated with candidate mitigation data that best optimizes the determined capacity shortage.

[0075] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of generating monitoring and / or control data for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of target chemical product requested by one or more downstream stakeholders, based on the provided target data or aggregated data and the provided digital representation, if it is not determined that there is a production capacity shortage. The monitoring and / or control data may include production data linked to the production of the target chemical product according to the provided target data or determined aggregated data. The monitoring and / or control data can be used by a chemical production network to produce the quantity of target chemical product included in the provided target data or determined aggregated data. The monitoring and / or control data may include chemical product identifiers. The monitoring and / or control data may include the quantities of input raw materials required to produce the quantity of target chemical product included in the provided target data or determined aggregated data. The monitoring and / or control data may include production chains and / or plants linked to the production of the target chemical product.

[0076] The generated monitoring and / or control data may be provided to a chemical production network to produce the quantity of target chemical product contained in the provided target data or aggregated data. The chemical production network may be configured to produce the target chemical product based on the received monitoring and / or control data.

[0077] Brief explanation of the drawing Further explanation of this disclosure follows, with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings and the same reference numerals in this disclosure are intended to refer to the same or similar elements, components, and / or parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0078] [Figure 1] This document illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a decentralized network environment that includes decentralized stakeholder network nodes linked to stakeholders in a product ecosystem, including chemical products. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates how a decentralized data consumption network node linked to a data user provides access to chemical product data linked to a chemical product via a decentralized data provision network node linked to a data owner. [Figure 3] An example of digital access elements, including DID owner data, DID document data, and a decentralized identity infrastructure, is shown. [Figure 4] This shows an exemplary data model structure that generates target data linked to target chemical products. [Figure 5] This document presents an example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input raw materials, in relation to an operating system that includes an attribute management system. [Figure 6] This example shows a chemical production network that produces multiple output products from multiple input raw materials and includes production chains that are interconnected or linked by chemical intermediates. [Figure 7]An example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input raw materials is shown, relating to an operating system that includes a production capacity monitoring system that controls and / or monitors the production of chemical products based on target data provided by downstream stakeholders. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates a hypothetical production system that determines production capacity shortages by producing the quantity of output products required for the production of a target chemical product. [Figure 9] The schematic diagram of process target data provided by downstream stakeholders through the production capacity monitoring system, as explained with reference to Figures 5 and 7, is shown. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates how target data is provided to chemical producers who produce target chemical products through a chemical production network via a decentralized network, through decentralized data provision network nodes linked to downstream stakeholders. [Figure 11] This diagram shows a schematic digital representation of the production chain involved in the production of the target chemical product, including several plants involved in the production of the target chemical product. [Figure 12] This document provides an exemplary method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties. [Figure 13] This document provides an example of generating mitigation data linked to mitigation measures according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This invention provides an embodiment for determining target production data for a plant and / or production chain involved in the production of a target chemical product. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0079] Detailed description of the invention The following embodiments are merely examples for implementing the methods, systems, or application devices disclosed herein and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

[0080] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a distributed computing environment. The decentralized network environment may include a decentralized stakeholder network 134. The decentralized stakeholder network 134 may include one or more decentralized network stakeholders 102-112. Decentralized network stakeholders may be part of a product ecosystem, including chemical products. The product ecosystem may include a production chain that produces the final product. The product ecosystem may include a recycling chain that recycles at least a portion of end-of-life products. The product ecosystem may include chemical product producers 102, chemical product consumers 108, OEMs 112, end-of-life product users 114, EOL product collectors 116, and recyclers 118. The product ecosystem may include further stakeholders, such as raw material suppliers 106. The product ecosystem enables the production of new final products using raw materials obtained from the recycling of end-of-life products. The product ecosystem may be linked to the production of chemical products and the use of the produced chemical products to produce further chemical products or assembled products.

[0081] The stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134 may be linked to the recycling of discontinued products and / or end-of-life products. Decentralized network stakeholders 102-118 may refer to producers of physical products, such as chemical product producers 102, chemical product consumers 108, OEMs 112, end-of-life product users 114, EOL product collectors 116, and recyclers 118, etc. Decentralized network stakeholders may be linked to decentralized stakeholder identifiers. Decentralized identifiers can uniquely identify raw materials or products within the decentralized network 134.

[0082] The stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134 may be connected via the raw material flow 140. The raw material flow 140 may correspond to the flow of products from upstream stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134 to downstream stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134. The raw material flow 140 may refer to a continuous or discontinuous flow of products or raw materials. The product flow may include any means of transport suitable for transporting products from stakeholders to downstream stakeholders. The means of transport may include pipes, containers, barrels, and packaging. The raw material flow 140 may be linked to raw materials, chemical products, chemical intermediate products, parts, part assemblies, final products, end-of-life products, recycled materials, etc.

[0083] The data flow 136 between decentralized network stakeholders' nodes may be directly or indirectly linked to the raw material flow 140 between decentralized network stakeholders. For example, if chemical product data linked to the physical entity of a product provided by a chemical product producer 102 to a chemical product consumer 108 is accessed by a decentralized data consumption network node linked to the chemical product consumer 108, then the data flow 136 may be directly linked to the raw material flow 140. For example, if data linked to a chemical product produced by a chemical product producer 102 is accessed by a decentralized data consumption network node linked to the end product user 114 or the recycler 118, then the data flow 136 may be indirectly linked to the raw material flow 140.

[0084] At least some of the stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134 may be associated with decentralized stakeholder network nodes 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. Decentralized stakeholder nodes 120-132 may be under the control of each decentralized stakeholder associated with each decentralized stakeholder node. Decentralized stakeholder nodes 120-132 may form a decentralized network 138. Decentralized network 138 may be a peer-to-peer communication network. Decentralized network 138 may be configured to execute data transactions 136. Data transactions 136 may be based on a transaction protocol that includes an authentication and / or authorization mechanism. Based on the authentication and / or authorization mechanism, peer-to-peer communication may be established between distributed network nodes 120-132 associated with stakeholders 102-118 of the decentralized network. One or more authentication mechanisms may be associated with or linked to a decentralized identifier as described with reference to Figure 2. One or more authentication mechanisms associated with a decentralized identifier may be accessible by decentralized data-providing network nodes and / or decentralized data-consuming network nodes, as described with reference to Figure 2. The decentralized configuration allows for more efficient use of computing resources and enhances control by the data owner of the decentralized network.

[0085] Data transactions between nodes involved in a decentralized network may be based on decentralized identifiers associated with the product data being accessed and / or decentralized identifiers associated with the raw materials used in the production of each product. Decentralized identifiers may be uniquely associated with the physical entity of the raw material or product and the associated product data. Products may be any raw material, chemical product, component, component assembly, finished product, end-of-life product, or recycled material. Decentralized identifiers can uniquely identify raw materials or products within the decentralized network. Decentralized identifiers may be associated with further decentralized identifiers, such as decentralized raw material identifiers for raw materials used in the production of the finished product. This allows tracking of the raw materials used in the production of a product. Decentralized identifiers may be included in digital access elements associated with each product, for example, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0086] Decentralized stakeholders Nodes 120-132 may be computing nodes. A distributed computing node may be any device or system including at least one physical and tangible processor and physical and tangible memory capable of storing computer executable instructions executed by the processor. The memory may be of any form and depends on the characteristics and form of the computing node.

[0087] At least some of the decentralized stakeholder nodes 120-132 may be decentralized data provision network nodes. At least some of the decentralized stakeholder nodes 120-132 may be decentralized data consumption network nodes. Stakeholders in the decentralized stakeholder network 134 may be linked to decentralized data provision network nodes and / or decentralized data consumption network nodes depending on whether the data is provided to downstream stakeholders and / or consumed by upstream stakeholders. For example, a chemical product producer 102 may be linked to a decentralized data provision network node configured to provide chemical product data and / or target production data (e.g., capacity data) to a downstream stakeholder (e.g., a chemical product consumer 108), as described with reference to Figure 2, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the chemical product consumer 108 may be linked to a decentralized data consumption network node configured to receive target data linked to the target quantity requested by the chemical product consumer 108, via a decentralized data provision network node linked to the chemical product consumer 108, as described with reference to Figure 7, for example.

[0088] The decentralized network 138 may include further distributed network nodes. These further nodes may be decentralized infrastructure service nodes (not shown in Figure 1). Decentralized infrastructure service nodes do not need to be tied to any stakeholders in the product ecosystem. Decentralized infrastructure service nodes may provide services to decentralized network stakeholders 120-132, such as identity verification, before performing data exchange. Distributed network stakeholders 120-132 may be tied to or include certificates, such as X.509 certificates. The certificates may be tied to decentralized infrastructure service nodes that include, for example, certificate issuance services and / or dynamic provisioning services that provide dynamic attribute tokens (e.g., OAuth access tokens). Thus, each decentralized network stakeholders 120-132 has a unique identifier embedded in the X.509 certificate that identifies each decentralized network stakeholders 120-132. The information required for certificate verification may be provided through an authentication registry associated with the certificate issuing service and / or dynamic delivery service. For example, in version 3.0 of the IDSA standard architecture model from April 2019, a decentralized data delivery network node, a certificate authority (CA), a dynamic attribute delivery service (DAPS), and a decentralized data consumption network node associated with the data owner are used to verify identity before performing data exchange (not shown).

[0089] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating how access to chemical product data linked to chemical products is provided via decentralized data consumption network nodes linked to data users and decentralized data provision network nodes linked to data owners. Using the system shown in Figure 2, product data, such as product data linked to products produced by stakeholders in the product ecosystem, can be exchanged within a decentralized stakeholder network, as explained with reference to Figure 1.

[0090] A digital twin may be associated with a chemical product. The digital twin of a chemical product may include a decentralized identifier and chemical product data. The chemical product data may include at least one measured chemical and / or physical property of the chemical product, and / or at least one physical and / or chemical property determined from collected data associated with the production and / or use of the chemical product. The chemical product data may include determined target production data (see, e.g., Figure 12). The digital twin may be generated by the data owner of the chemical product data, e.g., a chemical product producer 102. The digital twin may be generated on behalf of the data owner of the chemical product data. The digital twin may be generated by collecting chemical product data and applying one or more data models to the chemical product data to generate a digital twin dataset. The digital twin may include a decentralized identifier. The decentralized digital twin identifier may include an arbitrary unique identifier uniquely associated with the digital twin and / or the digital twin dataset, and optionally the data owner. The decentralized identifier may link the physical entity of the chemical product to the digital twin. A decentralized identifier may include one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) or digital identifiers (DIDs). One or more DIDs and / or UUIDs may be associated with a digital twin and / or digital twin dataset. One or more DIDs and / or UUIDs may further be associated with a chemical product. A decentralized identifier may be generated by the data owner or entrusted to the data owner of the digital twin data. A decentralized identifier may include authentication information. Access to the digital twin, or a portion of the digital twin, such as a digital twin dataset included in the digital twin, may be controlled by the data owner through unique associations with the decentralized identifier and its digital twin (and thus the chemical product), and optionally with the data owner. This is in contrast to a centralized system in which identifiers are provided by a central authority and access to data is controlled by such central authority.In this context, decentralization refers to the use of decentralized identifiers in implementations controlled by the data owner of data associated with decentralized identifiers, such as chemical product data. Decentralized identifiers may include one or more identifiers used in a decentralized network to enable data exchange over the decentralized network. For example, a decentralized identifier may include, or be associated with, a digital twin dataset identifier of a digital twin dataset, such as a UUID of a digital twin dataset. Any combination of UUIDs and DIDs is possible. For example, a decentralized identifier may be a DID, while a digital twin dataset identifier may be a UUID. In another example, both the decentralized identifier and the digital twin dataset identifier may be UUIDs. Data exchange may include the discovery of decentralized identifiers and optionally identifiers associated with the decentralized identifiers of stakeholders nodes in a decentralized network, authentication of stakeholders nodes in a decentralized network, and / or authentication of data transfer via peer-to-peer communication between stakeholders nodes in a decentralized network.

[0091] The digital twin may be stored in a database 220 linked to a data owner, such as a chemical product producer 102. Access to the database 220 and the digital twin stored in such a database 220 may be controlled by the data owner. Access to the database 220 and the stored digital twin may be controlled via a decentralized data provision network node 122 linked to the data owner. The digital twin may be stored in the database 220 for access by downstream parties, such as chemical product users.

[0092] Decentralized identifiers may be associated with other decentralized product identifiers according to the physical relationship between a chemical product entity and other physical entities, such as things produced using or from the chemical product. Thus, stakeholder nodes in a decentralized network may be able to interpret the relationships between decentralized identifiers corresponding to the physical relationships between physical chemical product entities and other physical entities. The association of decentralized digital twin identifiers with other decentralized product identifiers can determine which decentralized stakeholder nodes store collected data linked to the use of a chemical product or determined physical and / or chemical properties. The collected data and / or determined chemical and / or physical properties may be provided by the decentralized stakeholder nodes and stored in the digital twin. For example, a new dataset may be generated by applying a model of chemical product use, and the digital twin may be updated using the new dataset. Decentralized identifiers may be digital or virtual identifiers and do not necessarily correspond to physical identifiers physically attached to a chemical product, for example.

[0093] A decentralized identifier may be a physical identifier attached to a chemical product, or may be assigned to such an identifier. The connection of the physical identifier to the chemical product may be by a physical connection to the physical product or physical entity. For example, the physical identifier may be attached to the physical entity of the chemical product. The physical identifier may have a one-to-one correspondence with a virtual or physical feature by a physical connection to a physical entity. The physical identifier may be physically attached to the chemical product via the identifier. The physical identifier or physical identifier may refer to any virtual or physical configuration that links the decentralized identifier to the chemical product. The physical identifier may be any identifier of the manufactured chemical product, such as a batch number or part number. The physical identifier may include, but is not limited to, passive or active elements, such as a QR code (registered trademark) or an RFID tag. The physical identifier may be a physical identifier physically attached to the product. The identifier element may include a marker embedded in the raw material, a barcode, a QR code, an RFID tag or similar tag, or a similar physical configuration that can digitally identify the chemical product.

[0094] A digital access element may be generated for the produced chemical product 142. The digital access element may include a decentralized passport identifier and access data. The decentralized access element identifier may be associated with a decentralized identifier. The decentralized access element identifier may correspond to a decentralized identifier. The access data may include a digital representation pointing to a decentralized data delivery network node associated with the digital twin. The access data may include a digital representation for accessing the digital twin or a portion thereof. Several examples of digital access elements are shown in Figure 3. The digital access element may further include or relate to authentication and / or authorization information associated with the decentralized access element identifier. The authentication and / or authorization information may be provided to authenticate and / or authorize decentralized network nodes / decentralized data consumption network nodes and decentralized data delivery network nodes. The digital access element can be provided to a decentralized data delivery network node, for example, as described with reference to Figure 2. A decentralized registry node can store the decentralized access element identifier and associated access data.

[0095] The physical entity of a chemical product 142 produced from one or more input raw materials through chemical production linked to a chemical product producer 102 (not shown, see, for example, Figure 5) may be physically provided from the chemical product producer 102 to the chemical product consumer 108. The chemical product may be provided to the chemical product consumer 108 along with a digital access element. The chemical product consumer 108 may use the supplied chemical product to produce further chemical products or assembled products. The chemical product 142 may be connected to a code such as a barcode or QR code on which a decentralized access element identifier is encoded. The chemical product consumer 108 receiving the chemical product 142 can read the code via a code reader 202. The code reader 202 may be a smartphone running a code reading application such as a QR code reading app. The decentralized access element identifier may be determined using the data acquired by the code reading application. For example, a decentralized data consumption network node 124 can use a chemical product identifier to collect the endpoints of decentralized data provision network nodes 122 associated with chemical product data linked to such chemical product identifiers. Endpoints may be collected from decentralized infrastructure nodes based on the chemical product identifier (not shown in Figure 2). Based on the chemical product identifier, decentralized stakeholder identifiers linked to the data owner of the chemical product data may be collected from decentralized infrastructure nodes by the decentralized data consumption network node 122. Based on the decentralized stakeholder identifiers, endpoints of decentralized data provision network nodes associated with such decentralized stakeholder identifiers can be collected from decentralized infrastructure nodes by the decentralized data consumption network node 122. Decentralized identifiers may be determined using data obtained by a code reading application. Chemical product identifiers may be determined using data obtained by a code reading application. Data obtained by a code reading application may be used to determine access data. Decentralized passport identifiers, decentralized identifiers, chemical product identifiers, and access data may be determined by code reader 202.For example, the decentralized passport identifier determined by the code reader 202 may be a DID, and the code reader 202 may be configured to retrieve the associated DID document containing the decentralized identifier and access data, for example, using a DID resolver (see also Figure 3). In another example, the chemical product identifier is determined by the code reader 202 and used to retrieve the decentralized passport identifier and associated access data from a database, for example, a decentralized registry node 208. Therefore, the code reader 202 may be configured to retrieve the digital access element containing the decentralized passport identifier and access data from the decentralized registry node 208. The code reader 202 may be configured to provide the decentralized passport identifier and / or decentralized identifier to a database 206 associated with the chemical product consumer 108. The code reader 202 may be configured to provide the determined decentralized passport identifier, decentralized identifier, and access data to a decentralized data consumption network node 124.

[0096] The code reader 202 may be configured to display the determined / acquired data on a user interface, as indicated by reference numeral 204. The user interface can display the determined decentralized passport identifier (PP identifier), the determined decentralized identifier (DT identifier), and the determined access data (DT location). In this embodiment, the decentralized passport identifier and the decentralized identifier are different from each other. In another embodiment, the decentralized passport identifier is equal to the decentralized identifier. The user interface can further display the determined chemical product identifier (CP identifier). The user interface can also enable the retrieval of chemical product data based on the decentralized passport identifier and access data, as described below. This process may be initiated by a button labeled "Access DT". If the button is pressed, the code reader 202 may send an access request for chemical product data or a portion thereof to the decentralized data consumption network node 124.

[0097] The decentralized data consumption network node 124 may generate access requests to chemical product data or a portion thereof stored in the database 220. The decentralized data consumption network node 124 may generate requests based on data received from the code reader 202 or collected from decentralized infrastructure nodes. For example, the decentralized data consumption network node 124 may generate requests based on data received from the code reader 202 or collected endpoints. The decentralized data consumption network node 124 may generate requests based on decentralized identifiers provided to the database 206. Requests generated by the decentralized data consumption network node 124 may include decentralized identifiers and decentralized stakeholder identifiers of chemical product consumers 108 associated with the decentralized data consumption network node 124. Requests generated by the decentralized data consumption network node 124 may include chemical product identifiers and decentralized stakeholder identifiers of chemical product consumers 108 associated with the decentralized data consumption network node 124. The decentralized data consumption network node 124 may be configured to determine the decentralized data provision network node 122 associated with chemical product data based on access data provided by the code reader 202 or obtained from the decentralized registry 208, or based on the chemical product identifier.

[0098] A decentralized data consumption network node 124 may transmit an access request to the digital twin or a portion thereof to a decentralized data provision network node 122, which has been determined to be indicated by arrow 210. The decentralized data provision network node 122 may be associated with a chemical product producer 102. The decentralized data provision network node 122 may be associated with a chemical production network that produces chemical products. The decentralized data provision network node 122 may be associated with the data owner of the chemical product data. The decentralized data provision network node may be associated with the entity that operates the chemical production network that produces the chemical product 142. In addition to the request, authentication and / or authorization information may be provided by the decentralized data consumption network node 124.

[0099] Requests may be authenticated. Access to chemical product data or a portion thereof may be approved based on access policy data associated with the chemical product data. The access policy data may specify decentralized stakeholder identifiers that are permitted to access the chemical product data. The access policy data may specify one or more approval rules associated with the use of the chemical product data. The access policy data may specify one or more actions that decentralized data consumption network nodes are permitted to perform on datasets present within the chemical product data. This allows for filtering of decentralized data consumption network nodes requesting access based on the network node and the decentralized stakeholder identifiers associated with the actions requested to be performed on the accessed chemical product data. If a request is not approved, for example, if decentralized data consumption network node 124 is not authorized to access the chemical product data, the decentralized data provision network node 122 will terminate the peer-to-peer communication channel and the chemical product data or a portion thereof will not be provided.

[0100] If the request is approved, the decentralized data provision network node 122 may initiate contract negotiations with the decentralized data consumption network node 124 before providing chemical product data or a portion thereof. The decentralized data provision network node 122 may provide the decentralized data consumption network node 124 with an electronic contract. The electronic contract may include one or more approval rules associated with a decentralized identifier. This allows data consumers to determine the terms of use associated with the provided chemical product data. The decentralized data provision network node 122 and the decentralized data consumption network node 124 may be configured to negotiate and sign the electronic contract. By using an electronic contract, it is ensured that the decentralized data consumption network node and any further systems handling the chemical product data or a portion thereof comply with at least one approval rule associated with the chemical product data. Once the electronic contract is signed, the decentralized data consumption network node 124 may request access elements associated with a decentralized identifier from the decentralized data provision network node 122. The decentralized data provision network node 122 may collect access elements from the distributed registry node 208 based on the decentralized identifier included in the received request and provide the access elements to the decentralized data consumption network node 124. The decentralized data consumption network node 124 may be configured to request access to chemical product data based on the decentralized identifier and access data included in the received access elements. The chemical product data may be collected from the database 220 by the decentralized data provision network node 122 based on the provided decentralized identifier, and access policy data may be applied to the collected data as indicated by arrows 212 and 214. The chemical product data obtained as a result of applying the access policy data to the collected chemical product data may be provided to the decentralized data consumption network node 124 by the decentralized data provision network node 122 as indicated by arrow 216.

[0101] Chemical product data provided by the decentralized data provision network node 122 may be stored in a database 206 linked to the decentralized data consumption network node 124 according to the access data, as indicated by arrow 218.

[0102] Decentralized identifiers allow chemical product data to be uniquely linked to chemical products. Decentralized networks enable the transfer of chemical product data, or parts thereof, between chemical product producers and consumers in a standardized and secure manner, allowing chemical product producers to control access to their data by multiple decentralized data consumption network nodes within the network. Thus, chemical product data can be directly shared among stakeholders in the product ecosystem without a central intermediary, thanks to its unique association with chemical products.

[0103] Figure 3 shows an example of digital access elements, including DID owner data, DID document data, and a decentralized identification infrastructure.

[0104] A decentralized identifier may be a distributed identifier (DID). In this case, a digital access element based on a decentralized identifier may be a DID document 304 associated with the DID. In addition to the DID document 304 that functions as a digital access element, Figure 3 shows a DID owner data element 302 that includes owner data based on a decentralized identifier. Generally, owner data based on a decentralized identifier may include a decentralized identifier associated with an object such as a chemical product dataset, and one or more authentication mechanisms. Owner data 302 based on a decentralized identifier may include owner data that is electronically owned and controlled by the DID owner. Electronically owned in this context may refer to data stored in an owner repository or wallet. Such data can be securely stored and / or managed on an organized server or client device. Owner data 302 based on a decentralized identifier may include a DID, a private key, and a public key. The DID owner may own and control a DID representing the identity associated with the DID object, and a pair of private and public keys associated with the DID. A DID may be understood as an identifier and authentication information associated with or uniquely linked to that identifier.

[0105] DID objects may be raw materials, basic materials, chemical intermediates, chemical products, components, component assemblies, or final products. DID objects may be machines, systems, or equipment used in the production of raw materials, basic materials, chemical intermediates, chemical products, components, component assemblies, or final products, or collections of such machines, equipment, and / or systems. DID owners may be supply chain stakeholders or manufacturers, such as chemical producers who produce chemical intermediates and / or chemical products. DID owners may be upstream stakeholders of chemical product producers 102, such as suppliers who supply raw chemical products or precursors for the production of chemical products. DID owners may be downstream stakeholders of chemical product producers 102, such as chemical product consumers who use supplied chemical products to produce components, component assemblies, or final products. DID owners may be any stakeholders in the product ecosystem, including raw chemical product suppliers, intermediate chemical product manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, component manufacturers, component assembly manufacturers, or final product manufacturers, EOL recovery / sorting companies, or recyclers.

[0106] DID may be any identifier associated with the DID object and / or the DID owner. Preferably, the identifier is unique to the DID object and / or the DID owner. The identifier may be unique at least to the extent that the DID is expected to be in use. The identifier may be a locally or globally unique identifier of any party in the ecosystem, including raw materials, precursors, basic materials, chemical products, intermediate products, components, component assemblies, vehicles, or recycled materials or assemblies thereof; machines, systems, or equipment used in the production of raw materials, basic materials, chemical intermediates, chemical products, components, component assemblies, final products, or recycled materials, or assemblies of such machines, equipment, and / or systems; chemical manufacturers producing chemicals, upstream parties to chemical manufacturers, downstream parties to chemical manufacturers, or assemblies thereof; raw chemical suppliers, intermediate chemical manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, component manufacturers, component assembly manufacturers, final product manufacturers, final product users, EOL recovery operators and / or sorters, recyclers, or assemblies thereof.

[0107] The DID may be any identifier associated with the DID object and / or the DID owner. Preferably, the DID is unique to the DID object and / or the DID owner. The DID may be unique at least within the scope in which the DID is expected to be in use. The DID may be a locally or globally unique identifier for the DID object, such as the one described above. The DID may also be a unified resource identifier (URI), such as a unified resource location specifier (URL). Furthermore, the DID may be an internationalized resource identifier (IRI). The DID may be a unified resource identifier (URI), such as a unified resource location specifier (URL). The DID may be an internationalized resource identifier (IRI). The DID may be a random sequence of numbers and letters to enhance security. In one embodiment, the DID may follow a sequence of 128 letters and numbers, for example, scheme did:method name:method-specific did, e.g., did:example:ebfeb1f712ebc6f1c276e12ec21. A DID may be a decentralized DID that is independent of a centralized third-party management system and under the control of the DID owner.

[0108] A digital access element as a DID document 304 may be linked to a DID, i.e., a DID included in owner data 302 based on a decentralized identifier. Therefore, the digital access element may include a reference to a DID linked to a DID object described by the DID document 304. The DID document 304 may also include authentication information such as a public key. The public key may be used by a third party authorized by the DID owner / object to access information and data owned by the DID owner / object. The public key may also be used to verify that the DID owner actually owns or controls the DID. The DID document may include authentication and authorization information to authorize a third party to read the DID document or a part of the DID document, for example, without granting the third party the right to prove ownership of the DID.

[0109] The digital access element 304 may include one or more representations that digitally associate the digital access element with a digital twin data structure included in the digital twin to which the digital access element is linked, for example, by a service endpoint. The service endpoint may include a network address on which the service operates, entrusted to the DID owner. In particular, the service endpoint may refer to a service such as data provision by the DID owner that permits access to the digital twin data. Such a service may include a service for reading or analyzing data included in the digital twin data. The data included in the digital twin data may include chemical product data.

[0110] The digital access element 304 may include further identifiers, such as a digital twin data identifier and a chemical product identifier.

[0111] The digital access element 304 may include various other information, such as metadata specifying when the digital access element was created, when it was last modified, and / or when it expires.

[0112] The DID and digital access element 304 may be associated with a centralized or decentralized data service system 306, such as a data registry node of a distributed ledger or blockchain or a decentralized file system. A representation of the DID pointing to the digital access element 304 can be stored using the distributed ledger or blockchain. The representation of the DID may be stored on a distributed computing node of the distributed ledger or blockchain 1906. For example, a DID hash may be stored on multiple computing nodes of the distributed ledger, pointing to the location of the digital access element 304. In some embodiments, the digital access element 304 may be stored in the distributed ledger 306. Each computing node can store a copy of the distributed ledger 306. In this way, each DID hash can be stored redundantly, thereby improving data security. The distributed ledger 306 may contain DIDs associated with multiple different digital access elements 304.

[0113] In some embodiments, the digital access element 304 may be stored in the distributed ledger 306, i.e., in addition to or alternative to the DID representation stored in association with the distributed ledger 306. In other embodiments, the digital access element 304 may be stored in data storage (not shown) associated with the distributed ledger, blockchain, or decentralized file system.

[0114] The distributed ledger or blockchain 306 may be any decentralized distributed network containing various computing nodes that communicate with one another. For example, the distributed ledger 306 may include a first distributed computing node, a second distributed computing node, a third distributed computing node, and any number of additional distributed computing nodes (not shown). A distributed ledger or blockchain 1806 may include Bitcoin (see, for example, the Bitcoin documentation published November 11, 2022, https: / / en.bitcoin.it / wiki / Protocol_documentation), Ethereum (see, for example, the Ethereum documentation published August 15, 2022, https: / / ethereum.org / en / developers / docs / ), Solana (see, for example, the Solana documentation published November 11, 2022, https: / / spl.solana.com / ), Polygon (see, for example, the Polygon documentation published November 11, 2022, https: / / wiki.polygon.technology / ), or other implementations of data transactions of varying degrees performed against a distributed ledger. The description of exemplary frameworks is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

[0115] Figure 4 shows an exemplary data model structure for generating target data linked to target chemical products. The target data may be generated by downstream stakeholders by applying the data model shown in Figure 4 to the collected target data.

[0116] An exemplary data model may include the following characteristics: chemical producer data 404, downstream stakeholder data 406, target data ID 408, chemical product data 410, unit data 412, and target data 414. Demand data may include further characteristics such as quantity data 416 and period data 418. Each characteristic may be associated with one or more attributes. Each attribute may be associated with a corresponding data type. Data types may correspond to acceptable data types such as strings, numbers, and booleans.

[0117] Chemical producer data 404 may include the following attributes: chemical producer name, production location, and chemical producer ID. The chemical producer ID may correspond to a decentralized stakeholder identifier uniquely associated with a chemical producer within a decentralized network (see, for example, Figure 1). The decentralized stakeholder identifier may include letters, numbers, symbols, or a combination thereof.

[0118] The downstream stakeholder data 406 may include the following attributes: name of the downstream stakeholder, ID of the downstream stakeholder, and location or site of the downstream stakeholder where the target chemical product is used. The downstream stakeholder ID may correspond to a decentralized stakeholder identifier uniquely associated with the downstream stakeholder within the decentralized network (see, for example, Figure 1).

[0119] Target data ID 408 may include a decentralized identifier as an attribute. The decentralized identifier can uniquely identify target data, particularly target datasets, within a decentralized network. The decentralized identifier may include one or more UUIDs and / or DIDs as described above.

[0120] Chemical product data 410 may include the following attributes: chemical product identifiers used by downstream parties and chemical product identifiers used by chemical product producers. The chemical product identifiers used by chemical product producers and downstream parties may be different from each other. Therefore, it may be beneficial to include both identifiers to ensure the unique identification of the target chemical product to which the provided target data is linked.

[0121] The unit data 412 may include the corresponding unit as an attribute. This eliminates the need to input quantity data along with the unit, thus avoiding inaccurate data entry.

[0122] The quantity data 416 may include the target quantity of the target chemical product as an attribute. Since the unit is already defined by the unit characteristic 412, the quantity may be given as a dimensionless number. The quantity may correspond to the target quantity of the chemical product (for example, the quantity of one or more units of the target chemical product produced by the chemical product producer 102 and delivered to downstream parties 108).

[0123] Period data 418 may contain one or more periods as attributes. Periods may include future periods. Periods may include future weeks and / or months.

[0124] By using a data model with a defined semantic description, it is guaranteed that target data will be generated and provided in a uniform and harmonized data format. Therefore, the provided target data can be efficiently processed by the chemical product producer 102 without the need for data conversion to harmonize the target data provided by multiple downstream stakeholders into a uniform data format before determining a production capacity shortage using the provided target data.

[0125] Figure 5 shows an example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input raw materials, in relation to an operating system including an attribute management system. Different input raw materials (feedstock) 502 may be provided as physical inputs from a raw material supply unit or supplier (see also Figure 1) to produce one or more chemical products 142. The chemical products 142 produced from the input raw materials may be supplied to chemical product consumers 108, as described with reference to, for example, Figure 6. The chemical production network 504 may include a plurality of interconnected process steps. The chemical production network 504 may be an integrated chemical production network having connected or interconnected production chains. The chemical production network 504 may include a plurality of different production chains that share at least one chemical intermediate. The chemical production network 504 may include a plurality of stages in the chemical value chain. The chemical production network 504 may include the production, purification, processing and / or refining of chemical products. The chemical production network 504 may include multiple production chains that produce multiple chemical products that are shipped out of the chemical production network 504 from one or more input raw materials via chemical intermediates. The chemical production network 504 may include multiple layers of the chemical value chain. The chemical production network 504 may include production sites that are physically connected or interconnected. The production sites may be in the same location or in different locations. In the latter case, the production sites may be connected or interconnected by dedicated transportation systems such as pipelines, trucks, ships or other means of freight transport.

[0126] The chemical production network 504 can chemically convert input raw materials 502 into one or more chemical products 142 that are discharged from the chemical production network 504 via chemical intermediates. The chemical production network 504 can convert input raw materials into one or more chemical products through chemical conversion.

[0127] The input raw materials may be supplied into the chemical production network 504 at any input point. The input raw materials may be supplied to the chemical production network 504 at the starting point of the chemical production network 504. The input raw materials may constitute, for example, the raw materials of a plant that performs the first production step of a production chain linked to a chemical product.

[0128] The chemical production network 504 may produce chemical products 142 through multiple production steps. The production steps may be defined by the system boundary of the chemical production network 504. The system boundary may be defined by the location or control of the production process. The system boundary may be defined by the location of the chemical production network 504. The system boundary may be defined by a production process controlled by one entity alone or jointly by multiple entities. The system boundary may be defined by a value chain having time-staggered production processes to the final product, which may be controlled separately by multiple entities. The chemical production network 504 may include a waste recovery and sorting step, a recycling step such as pyrolysis, a cracking step such as steam cracking, a separation step to separate the product of one process step, and further process steps to convert such product into a chemical product that is transported out of the system boundary of the chemical production network 504.

[0129] The operating system 506 of the chemical production network 504 may monitor and / or control the chemical production network 504 based on the operating parameters of different processes. One process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the supply of input raw materials and / or the discharge of chemical products. Another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the aggregation of provided target data. Yet another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the determination of a production capacity shortage for one or more periods based on the provided target data. Yet another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the generation of mitigation data linked to mitigation measures. Yet another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the adaptation of production of target chemical products in accordance with the mitigation data.

[0130] The operating system may be configured to perform the method described with reference to Figures 12-14. The operating system may be configured to perform at least some of the steps described with reference to Figures 12-14.

[0131] Figure 6 shows an example of a chemical production network that produces multiple output products from multiple input raw materials and includes production chains that are interconnected or linked by chemical intermediates. In the example shown in Figure 6, the chemical production network 504 includes three production chains 610, 618, and 622. The chemical production network 504 shown in Figure 6 is merely an example illustrating the concept of interconnected or linked production chains, and therefore, a chemical production network may include more or fewer production chains than those shown in Figure 6.

[0132] Each production chain may include one or more plants. Each production chain 610, 618, 622 may produce one or more output products, e.g., output products 1-3, from one or more input raw materials, e.g., input raw materials 1-3. Each production chain may include one or more plants, e.g., plants 602, 604, 606, 608, 612, 613, 614, 620. Each plant may perform one or more physical and / or chemical processes on input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates. Each plant may produce output products. The output products may be chemical intermediates and / or chemical products. Within production chains such as 610, 618, 622, the output products produced by the plants may correspond to at least a portion of the input raw materials to subsequent plants in the production chain, as shown in Figure 6.

[0133] The production chains may be connected or interconnected via chemical intermediates, such as chemical intermediates produced by a first production chain, such as production chain 2(618), which may be used as input raw materials to a plant of a second production chain, such as production chain 1(610) (e.g., plant 2(604)). Similarly, the output products (e.g., chemical intermediates) produced by a plant of a second production chain, such as production chain 1(610), may be used as input raw materials to a plant of a first production chain, such as production chain 2(618) (e.g., plant 3(616)).

[0134] When determining a shortage of production capacity, it is necessary to consider such connections or interconnections of production chains because, for example, two or more production chains may be involved in the production of a target chemical product by producing chemical intermediates that are required as input raw materials in the production chain that produces the target chemical product.

[0135] Figure 7 shows an example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input raw materials, in relation to an operating system that includes a production capacity monitoring system that controls and / or monitors the production of chemical products based on target data provided by downstream stakeholders. Chemical production network 504 is described above with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0136] The operating system 506 may be a digital operating system configured to collect, store, manage, and interpret extensive production and / or operational data for the chemical production network 504. The operating system 506 may be part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Alternatively, the operating system 506 may be partially implemented in an ERP system and partially implemented in one or more additional systems coupled to the ERP system. The operating system 506 may also be implemented in one or more systems outside of the ERP system.

[0137] The input raw materials 502 may be provided to the chemical production network 504 at input point 702. The input raw materials may include unprocessed raw materials. The input raw materials may include chemical intermediates. After being delivered to the chemical production network 504, the input raw materials may be stored in an input raw material storage facility such as a tank as they are introduced into the chemical production process.

[0138] Chemical products 142 produced by the chemical production network 504 may be stored in a chemical storage facility such as a tank before being provided to the discharge point 704. At the discharge point 704, the produced chemical products 142 may be provided to one or more downstream parties, such as a chemical product consumer 108. The chemical product consumer 108 may use the supplied chemical products 142 to produce further chemical products or assembled products, such as parts or components. The chemical product consumer 108 may generate target data linked to the quantity of one or more chemical products needed in the future. The target data may be generated using the data model shown in Figure 4. The target data may be provided to a chemical product producer that produces the target chemical products. The target data received from the chemical product consumer 108 may be stored in the database 706 of the operating system 506. The operating system 506 may receive the target data via any computing system or device, such as a decentralized computing system. The driving system 506 may receive target data via a decentralized network, as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0139] The production capacity monitoring system 708 can aggregate the provided target data. Aggregation may be performed as described with reference to Figure 12. Data aggregation may be initiated by receiving new target data in the database 706. Data aggregation may be initiated by the operation system 506 before, or at the time of, determining a production capacity shortage of the chemical production network 504 for one or more periods included in the received target data. The production capacity monitoring system 708 can collect the received target data from the database 706, analyze the collected data, and determine the aggregated target data. Data aggregation may include adding up the quantity data included in the collected target data. Data aggregation may be based on the chemical product identifiers included in the collected target data. Data aggregation may be performed for one or more defined periods. For example, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to collect target data for a given period linked to a given chemical product, and may sum up the quantity data included in the collected target data. Target data may be collected based on the chemical product identifier linked to the chemical product. The aggregated target data may be stored in database 706 or in a database included in the production capacity monitoring system 708 (not shown).

[0140] The production capacity monitoring system 708 may collect or select digital representations associated with production chains related to the production of target chemical products (e.g., chemical products linked to provided or received target data), as described with reference to Figure 12, for example. Digital representations may be collected from the database 710. The database 710 can store digital representations of production chains associated with chemical products produced by the chemical production network 504. Each production chain may have a digital representation associated with it. Digital representations may be collected based on chemical product identifiers contained in the provided target data. For example, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to select a digital representation 1102 associated with a target chemical product by selecting a digital representation 1102 that contains a chemical product identifier that matches the chemical product identifier contained in the target data. The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to determine the production chain and / or associated plant based on the selected digital representation. Referring to Figure 11 and subsequently to Figure 7, the digital representation of a production chain linked to the production of a target chemical product may include plant data and capacity thresholds for each production chain and / or plant. A production chain related to the production of a target chemical product may include a production chain that produces the target chemical product as an output. Such a production chain may include one or more plants related to the production of the target chemical product. A plant linked to the production of a target chemical product may include a plant that produces the chemical intermediates necessary to produce the target chemical product as an output. A plant linked to the production of a target chemical product may include a plant that produces the target chemical product as an output. Each plant can perform chemical reactions and / or physical processes. Each plant may be linked to input materials and output products. Output products may correspond to chemical intermediates (see also Figure 6). Output products may correspond to the target chemical product. The output products of one plant may correspond to the input materials of subsequent plants in the production chain. The plant may be linked to the input raw materials used as supplied and / or produced products via identifiers associated with the input raw materials and / or produced products.For example, plant data linked to a plant in the chemical production network 504 may include chemical product identifiers linked to the chemical products (e.g., output products) produced by the plant. The plant data may further include raw material identifiers linked to the input raw materials (e.g., raw materials and / or chemical intermediates) used within the plant to produce the output products. Based on these identifiers, the plant and the associated production chain may be determined.

[0141] In the example shown in Figure 11, the production chain 610 may include a first plant 602 that carries out the production of chemical intermediates such as monomers via chemical reactions. The resulting reaction mixture may correspond to the product of plant 1(602). The production chain may further include a second plant 604 that carries out physical processing of the resulting reaction mixture, such as the separation of monomers from the reaction mixture. The separated monomers may correspond to the product of plant 2(604). The production chain may further include a third plant 606 that carries out the production of a target chemical product from chemical intermediates (e.g., monomers) produced by plant 2(604) via chemical reactions and further chemical monomers produced by a different production chain (not shown, see Figure 6). The reaction mixture may correspond to the product of plant 3606. The production chain may further include a fourth plant 608 that carries out the separation of the target chemical product from the reaction mixture and the packaging of the target chemical product. The target chemical product may correspond to the product of plant 4(608). The produced target chemical product may be stored in a chemical storage facility such as a tank before it is delivered to each downstream party, such as a chemical product consumer 108, for example via a tank truck, and before the packaged units containing the target chemical product are transported to each downstream party.

[0142] In the example shown in Figure 11, plants 1(602) to 4(608) may form a production chain 610 linked to the production of target chemical product 142. The example shown in Figure 11 should not be considered limited to the plants necessary for the production of a particular chemical product. Similarly, the production chain 610 may include more or fewer plants.

[0143] A plant may be linked to a chemical production network. A chemical production network may include one or more production chains, each containing one or more plants producing multiple products. A plant may contain any apparatus configured to carry out chemical and / or physical reactions. A plant may have at least one supply line to supply input materials (e.g., raw materials and / or chemical intermediates). A plant may have at least one discharge line configured to discharge products (e.g., chemical intermediates or chemical products containing a target chemical product). Examples of plants include steam crackers, chemical reactors, distillation units, dispersers, mills, mixers, extruders, etc.

[0144] Each plant in the production chain may be linked to plant data. The plant data may correspond to a digital twin of each plant. The plant data may relate to identifiers linked to target chemical products and associated intermediate compounds. The plant data may include plant identifiers linked to each plant. The plant data may include capacity thresholds for each plant. The plant data may further include plant parameters. The plant parameters may include maintenance data, operating time, size, products that can be produced by the plant, input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates used by the plant, recipes used by the plant, construction data, operating parameters, or a combination thereof. The identifiers allow for the determination of each digital representation linked to the production of the target chemical product. The recipes may specify input raw materials and / or chemical intermediates and their associated quantities. The recipes may further specify the associated products. The operating parameters may include the yield (e.g., quantity) of products that can be produced by the plant and / or the plant's current production capacity.

[0145] The current production capacity of a given plant or production chain may be determined by comparing the quantity of products currently being produced by the plant or production chain at specified intervals with a capacity threshold associated with the plant or production chain.

[0146] The digital representation 1102 of the production chain 610 may include plant data 1104 and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain. The digital representation 1102 may further include identifiers linked to the target chemical product and / or chemical intermediates used in the production of the target chemical product. This allows for the collection of digital representations linked to the target chemical product based on the chemical product data included in the provided target data.

[0147] The plant data 1104 and / or digital representation may be used to generate mapping data for at least a portion of the plant that maps the quantities of required input materials (e.g., raw materials and / or chemical intermediates) to the quantities of target output products (e.g., chemical products including chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products). The mapping data may be contained in the digital representation 1102. The digital representation 1102 may contain a pointer to the mapping data. The mapping data may further contain a chemical product identifier that associates the mapping data with the chemical product to which the mapping data is linked. The mapping data may be generated by a virtual production module.

[0148] Plant data 1104 and / or digital representations may be used to generate mapping data that maps the quantity of a target chemical product to target production data for at least a portion of the plants in the production chain for a given period. The mapping data may further include a chemical product identifier that associates the mapping data with the target chemical product to which the mapping data is linked. The mapping data may be contained in digital representation 1102. Digital representation 1102 may contain a pointer to the mapping data. By using the mapping data, target production capacity data for at least a portion of the plants and / or production chains involved in the production of the target chemical product can be determined quickly and reliably based on the quantities contained in the mapping data.

[0149] Referring again to Figure 7 and then to Figure 9, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to determine whether it is possible to produce one or more target chemical products for a given period included in the provided target data / aggregated data. Referring to Figure 9, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to analyze the target data and determine the period included therein. The determined period may be compared with the production time required to produce the target chemical product. If the determined period is less than the required production time, for example, less than 12 weeks, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to compare the target quantity with storage data or planned storage data stored in the database 904 (for example, data linked to the storage of the target chemical product in the chemical product storage facility for the period given by the provided target data). Such a comparison may be performed by the storage monitoring system 902. This makes it possible to determine whether the quantity of the target chemical product requested by one or more downstream stakeholders is available in the chemical product raw material storage facility linked to the chemical production network 504. If the determined period is longer than the required production time, for example, more than 12 weeks, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to determine a production capacity shortage. A production capacity shortage may be determined by the production capacity shortage determination unit 906, as explained with reference to Figures 12-14, for example.

[0150] The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to determine production capacity shortages based on provided target data / aggregated data, selected digital representations, and capacity thresholds, as described with reference to, for example, Figure 12. Production capacity shortages may be determined by the production capacity monitoring system 708 via a virtual production process using the provided digital representations and provided target data / aggregated data. The virtual production process may be executed by the virtual production module of the production capacity monitoring system 708.

[0151] Referring to Figure 8, and subsequently to Figures 7 and 9, the virtual production module 802 may be configured to collect target data and their respective digital representations based on the chemical product identifiers included in the target data, and to produce quantities of chemical intermediates 804 and target quantities of target chemical products 806 required over a given future period. The virtual production module may further be configured to produce quantities of additional output products 808 (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or chemical products produced by plants linked to the production chain related to the production of the target chemical products) required. The virtual production module may further be configured to produce quantities of input materials required. The input materials may include raw materials necessary for the production of the target chemical products. The required quantities may correspond to quantities required to produce quantities of target chemical products that correspond to target quantities included in the target data provided by downstream parties such as chemical product consumers 108, or to aggregated quantities. The virtual production module 802 may be configured to determine whether sufficient input materials are available within the chemical production network 504 based on the determined required quantities and input material storage data or planned input material storage data. The virtual production module 802 may be configured to determine target production data 810 based on the required quantities of chemical intermediates, target chemical products, and optionally additional output products over a given period (e.g., the period included in the provided target data). The virtual production module 802 may be configured to determine target production data based on mapping data included in the selected digital representation. The target production data 810 determined by the virtual production module 802 may correspond to the sum of the target production data for the target chemical product and additional production data linked to additional output products produced by each of the aforementioned plants over a given period.

[0152] Referring again to Figure 7 and then to Figure 9, the production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to determine capacity shortage by comparing the determined target production data with capacity thresholds for each production chain and / or plant. The capacity thresholds may be included in a digital representation such as the digital representation 1102 shown in Figure 11. The capacity thresholds may include, or be linked to, the maximum quantity of output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or chemical products) that each plant or production chain can produce over a given period. The capacity thresholds may include, or be linked to, a given percentage of the maximum quantity of output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or chemical products) that each plant or production chain can produce over a given period. If the target production data exceeds at least one capacity threshold included in the provided digital representation, it may be determined that there is a production capacity shortage.

[0153] The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to generate mitigation data related to mitigation measures linked to input raw materials, chemical intermediates, target chemical products, and / or production parameters if it determines that there is a production capacity shortage, as explained with reference to Figure 12, for example. The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to provide the generated mitigation data to the operation system 506. The operation system 506 may be configured to adjust the production of target chemical products so that target quantities of target chemical products for one or more periods included in the provided target data are produced. The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to generate monitoring and / or control data if it is not determined that there is a production capacity shortage. The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to provide the generated monitoring and / or control data to the operation system 506. The operation system 506 may be configured to monitor and / or control the production of target chemical products by the chemical production network 504 based on the provided monitoring and / or control data.

[0154] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram illustrating how target data is provided to chemical producers who produce target chemical products through a chemical production network, via a decentralized data provision network node linked to downstream stakeholders through a decentralized network. As explained with reference to Figure 10, the target data received by chemical producer 102 may be used to monitor and / or control the chemical production network 504, as explained with reference to Figure 7. As explained with reference to Figure 10, the target data received by chemical producer 102 may be used to generate relaxation data and adapt the production of target chemical products by the chemical production network 504, as explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0155] A chemical product producer 102 may generate a dataset containing a destination address linked to a decentralized data consumption network node 122 and data indicating that it is a destination, in order to receive target data linked to a target chemical product from one or more downstream stakeholders. The dataset (hereinafter referred to as "asset") may be provided to a decentralized registry node 208 or a decentralized data consumption network node 122. The decentralized registry node 208 may store the asset and be configured to provide access to the stored asset upon request from a decentralized data provision network node linked to a stakeholders in a decentralized network, such as the decentralized network 138 described with reference to Figure 1. The decentralized data consumption network node 122 may be configured to provide target data received from a decentralized data provision network node 124 linked to a downstream stakeholder, such as a chemical product consumer 108, to a target data database 706.

[0156] Downstream stakeholders, such as chemical product consumers 108, may generate target data for target chemical products, as described with reference to Figures 7 and 12, for example. The generated target data may be stored in a target data storage 1008 linked to the decentralized data provision network node 124 of the chemical product consumer 108. For example, if an application requests communication with the decentralized data provision network node 124, the decentralized data provision network node 124 may be configured to retrieve assets registered by the chemical product producer 102 from a decentralized registry node 208 or a decentralized data consumption node 122. Assets may be retrieved by identifying an asset catalog (e.g., a list of available assets) linked to the chemical product producer 102 based on the decentralized stakeholder identifier of the chemical product producer 102. Assets can be identified in the catalog by searching for assets that include characteristics indicating endpoint data in order to receive demand data.

[0157] Once each endpoint has been identified, the decentralized data provision network node 124 may establish a connection to the decentralized data consumption network node 122 using the data contained in the retrieved assets. The network node 124 and the decentralized data consumption network node 122 may perform an authentication step as described with reference to Figure 2, for example. If authentication is successful, electronic contract negotiation may be performed as described with reference to Figure 2. If the electronic contract negotiation is successful, the decentralized data provision network node 124 may provide the generated target data to the decentralized data consumption network node 122, and the decentralized data consumption network node 122 may store the received target data in the database 706.

[0158] Target data may be provided in a safe, reliable, and standardized manner from downstream stakeholders to product producers operating the chemical production network via a decentralized network. By making the endpoints for providing target data within the decentralized network public by chemical product producers, downstream stakeholders can reliably identify these endpoints and provide their respective target data to these endpoints in a safe, reliable, and standardized manner without having to request such data from chemical product producers via the decentralized network. In this way, the reliable provision of target data in a safe and standardized manner can be achieved, allowing chemical product producers to efficiently determine capacity shortages and generate mitigation data if a capacity shortage is determined. This avoids ecosystem disruptions caused by capacity bottlenecks, thus ensuring that downstream stakeholders can produce products reliably and stably.

[0159] Figure 12 shows an exemplary method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a target chemical product in a quantity requested by one or more downstream parties. Figure 12 also shows an exemplary method for generating mitigation data relating to mitigation measures to adapt the production of the target chemical product in accordance with provided target data. At least part of the exemplary method shown in Figure 12 may be implemented by the operating system of a chemical production network, for example, the operating system 506 of the chemical production network 504 shown in Figure 5. At least part of the exemplary method may be implemented by the production capacity monitoring system 708 described with reference to Figure 7. The target chemical product produced in accordance with the target data provided by one or more downstream parties may be supplied to the downstream parties, for example, a chemical product consumer 108 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The chemical product consumer 108 may consume or use the chemical product (for example, they may use the supplied chemical product to produce further chemical products or assembled products). To ensure the reliable production of further products or assembled products, the chemical product consumer may require a continuous supply of the target quantity of the target chemical product. To ensure the continuous supply of such target quantities, chemical product consumers may generate target data for one or more periods and provide this target data to target chemical product producers. The target quantities of the target chemical product included in the target data may be linked to the planned consumption of the target chemical product at the chemical product consumer's production site. Chemical product producers may produce the target chemical product through their chemical production network based on the target data provided by one or more downstream stakeholders. This can avoid excess storage capacity and thus reduce the overall cost associated with the production of the target chemical product. However, this also requires monitoring and / or control of production capacity to avoid production shortages and, consequently, delays in the supply of the target chemical product to downstream stakeholders. Delays in supply may result in production shortages for downstream stakeholders in the product ecosystem, which is undesirable and should be avoided.

[0160] In block 1202, target data linked to the target quantity of a target chemical product processed at a plant linked to one or more downstream stakeholders may be provided by one or more downstream stakeholders for one or more periods. The target data may be provided as described with reference to Figure 10. The target data may be generated as described with reference to Figures 4 and 7. By using a data model to generate the target data, uniformity of the data format of the target data is guaranteed, making the data conversion before processing the received target data redundant. The target data may be received by the operating system 506 of the chemical production network 504. The received target data may be stored in a database linked to the operating system 506, for example, database 706 shown in Figure 7.

[0161] Target data may include decentralized identifiers, data linked to chemical products, target quantities of chemical products, and time period data. Data linked to chemical products may include data indicating chemical producers that produce the target chemical product and / or location data linked to the location in the chemical production network. Data linked to chemical products may include data indicating downstream parties that process or use the target chemical product produced and supplied by the chemical producer. Data linked to chemical products may include target chemical product identifiers used by each downstream party and / or chemical product identifiers used by the chemical producer. Time period data may include the time period linked to the target data. The time period may be a future period, for example, a future period relative to the point in time linked to the provision of the target data. The time period may include a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future. The time period may include a period of up to 12 months in the future. The time period may include a period of up to 24 months in the future. The time period may include a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future and up to 12 months in the future. The time period may include a period exceeding 12 weeks in the future and up to 24 months in the future.

[0162] In block 1204, the target demand data may be aggregated as described with reference to Figure 7, and this block is generally optional. The received target data may be aggregated for each target chemical product. Aggregation may be performed by the operating system 506. Aggregation may be started by the operating system over a predetermined period. Aggregation may be performed by the production capacity monitoring system 708 if it receives instructions from the operating system 506. Aggregation may include aggregation of one or more quantities included in the provided target data. The provided target data may be aggregated based on the period data included in the provided target data. For example, target data received for different periods may be aggregated to obtain aggregated target data for the aggregated period. The provided target data may be aggregated based on data linked to the chemical products included in the provided target data. For example, target data provided by multiple downstream parties for a specific target chemical product may be aggregated to obtain aggregated target data for such target chemical product. The provided target data may be aggregated based on the downstream parties providing the target data. For example, all target data provided by downstream parties may be aggregated. The aggregation allows for the determination of the total quantity of target chemical products that need to be produced over one or more periods to meet the quantities requested by one or more downstream stakeholders for one or more periods. In block 1206, a digital representation of the production chain linked to the production of the target chemical products may be provided. An example of such a digital representation is shown in Figure 11. The digital representation may be provided based on the provided target data. For example, one or more digital representations may be selected from multiple digital representations linked to the production chain of the chemical production network based on data linked to the target chemical products included in the provided target data. The data linked to the target chemical products may include chemical product identifiers linked to the target chemical products. Such chemical product identifiers may be used to select such digital representations linked to matching chemical product identifiers.Therefore, chemical product identifiers included in the provided target data may be mapped to chemical product identifiers included in multiple digital representations, and a digital representation containing matching chemical product identifiers may be selected and provided. Multiple digital representations may be stored in a data storage medium such as a database linked to one or more operating systems that operate the chemical production network. The digital representations may include plant data and capacity thresholds for each production chain and / or plant. The digital representations may further include mapping data as described with reference to Figure 7. Based on the provided digital representations, received target data, and capacity thresholds, a production capacity shortage may be determined. In block 1208, target production data for one or more periods of a production chain and / or plant may be determined based on the target data / aggregated data and the provided digital representations. Plants may be determined before determining production capacity data based on the plant data included in the provided digital representations. For example, each plant may be determined using the plant identifiers included in the provided digital representations. If the determined target production data for at least one production chain and / or plant linked to the provided digital representations exceeds at least one capacity threshold, a production capacity shortage may be determined. Blocks 1206 to 1208 may be executed by the virtual production module of the production capacity monitoring system 708, as described with reference to Figure 7.

[0163] Referring to Figure 14, target production data may be determined by determining the quantity of products to be produced for one or more periods required for the production chain and / or plant based on the provided digital representation and target data or aggregated data (see Block 1402). Products may correspond to target chemical products and chemical intermediates associated with target chemical products. The required quantity of products may include the quantities contained in the provided target data or the quantities contained in the aggregated data determined in Block 1204.

[0164] Target production data may be determined based on storage data linked to available target chemicals present in chemical storage facilities linked to the chemical production network. Target production data may be determined based on determination storage data linked to one or more periods of available target chemicals present in chemical storage facilities linked within the chemical production network. Storage data linked to available target chemicals may be considered during the determination of target production data. Therefore, the quantity of target chemicals to be produced may be reduced by the quantity of available target chemicals present or expected to be present in the chemical storage facilities for one or more periods. Available target chemicals may refer to target chemicals that have not been allocated or distributed to downstream stakeholders.

[0165] Continuing to refer to Figure 14, in decision block 1404, it may be determined whether or not the production chain and / or plant will produce further products. The further products may include chemical products and chemical intermediates different from the target chemical product and associated chemical intermediates. Such different products may, for example, have different chemical structures and / or chemical compositions. Otherwise, for example, when the production chain and / or plant is used exclusively to produce the target chemical product, the data determined in block 1402 may correspond to the target production data. Otherwise, for example, when at least a portion of the production chain and / or plant is used to produce further products, the number of further products to be produced over one or more periods may be determined in block 1406. The further products may be determined using the provided digital representation. For example, the plant data included in the digital representation may include data indicating the products produced by the plant and / or production chain. The data indicating the products produced by the production chain and / or plant may include each product identifier.

[0166] Further production data may be determined by determining the quantity of additional products produced over a period of one or more units (see Block 1408). This quantity may be determined based on target data or aggregate data linked to the additional products, as described in Figure 7.

[0167] Target production data may be determined by aggregating target production data with further production data, for example, by aggregating the required quantity of products determined in block 1402 and the quantity of further products determined in block 1408 for one or more periods. Target production data may be determined for a production chain and / or for one or more plants in a production chain.

[0168] Referring again to Figure 12, a production capacity shortage may be determined by comparing the determined target production data with a capacity threshold (see block 1210). Target production data for each plant may be compared with a capacity threshold for each plant. Target production data for each production chain may be compared with a capacity threshold for each production chain. The capacity threshold may be included in the provided digital representation. The capacity threshold may correspond to the maximum quantity of products that each plant and / or production chain can produce over a given period. The capacity threshold may correspond to the percentage of the maximum quantity of products that each plant and / or production chain can produce within a given period. Before comparison, the determined target production data may be normalized to the period associated with the capacity threshold.

[0169] In decision block 1212, it may be determined whether the capacity threshold can be reached or exceeded. The determination may be made based on the results of the comparison performed in block 1210. In accordance with the determination that the capacity threshold has not been reached or exceeded, data for monitoring and / or controlling the production of the target quantity of the target chemical product may be generated based on the provided target data, and the generated monitoring and / or control data may be provided (see block 1214). The monitoring and / or control data may be generated by the operating system 506 of the chemical production network 504. The production capacity monitoring system 708 may be configured to provide the operating system 506 with an indication that it has not been determined that there is a production capacity shortage, and the operating system 506 may be configured to generate monitoring and / or control data as described with reference to Figure 7, and to monitor and / or control the chemical production network 504 based on the generated monitoring and / or control data.

[0170] In accordance with the determination that a capacity threshold has been reached or exceeded, block 1216 may generate relaxation data relating to input raw materials, chemical intermediates, target chemical products, and / or production parameters. Relaxation measures relating to input raw materials may include measures relating to the use of input raw materials. Measures relating to the use of input raw materials may include steps to adapt the allocation of input raw materials to production chains and / or plants. For example, the quantities of input raw materials allocated to production chains related to the production of a requested chemical product may be adapted so that the requested quantity of the chemical product can be produced by the production chains. Measures relating to chemical intermediates may include measures relating to the use of chemical intermediates. For example, the allocation of chemical intermediates to production chains and / or plants may be adapted. For example, chemical intermediates may be allocated to one or more production chains related to the production of a requested chemical product so that the requested quantity of the chemical product can be produced by the production chains. In another example, an increased quantity of chemical intermediates may be allocated to one or more production chains. In yet another example, chemical intermediates may be reallocated, for example, by transferring at least a portion of the produced quantity of chemical intermediates to a different production chain so that the requested quantity of chemical products can be produced by that production chain. Measures relating to chemical products may include measures relating to the use of chemical products. For example, the quantity of chemical products that can be produced by one or more production chains for multiple downstream parties may be reallocated to one or more specific downstream parties so as to increase the quantity of chemical products that can be produced for such downstream parties. Measures relating to production parameters may include measures relating to production schedules, measures relating to production locations, and / or measures relating to processing parameters. For example, the production of a requested or target chemical product may be scheduled earlier to enable the production of a larger quantity of the chemical product over a period specified by one or more downstream parties. In yet another example, at least a portion of production may be reallocated to a different production location, for example, a different production site. The different production location may have available production capacity for such chemical products, or may be able to produce at least a portion of the target quantity of the chemical product over a period specified by one or more downstream parties.In yet another example, the processing parameters used by one or more plants may be adapted to increase the quantity of chemical products that can be produced by the plants.

[0171] Referring to Figure 13, the mitigation data may be generated using one of several datasets containing candidate mitigation data. In the first step (see block 1302), one or more datasets containing candidate mitigation data associated with the determined capacity deficit can be identified. The mitigation data may be generated by the production capacity monitoring system 708.

[0172] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions to reduce the production of further output products (e.g., production volume) for one or more plants and / or production chains linked to the production of one or more target chemical products over one or more time periods. Instructions may include one or more conditions constraining each quantity reduction. These constraints may relate to a minimum quantity of further output products that must not be in short supply. This helps to avoid excessive adverse effects from reducing the production of further output products. Reducing the production of further output products can increase the production capacity of the output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products) linked to the provided target data. Considering the further output products produced by such production chains ensures the reliable identification of capacity shortages within complex chemical production networks that produce multiple different chemical products from various input materials via one or more chemical intermediates.

[0173] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions for allocating production of output products (e.g., chemical intermediates and / or target chemical products) linked to the provided target data. Production allocation may include a step of allocating production of output products linked to the provided target data to different chemical production sites or chemical production networks located in different geographical locations than the chemical production sites used to determine production capacity data. This allows for a shift in production to different chemical production sites or chemical production networks, thus avoiding capacity shortages at one chemical production site while having available production capacity at another. Instructions may include one or more conditions that constrain each allocation. Constraints may relate to certification data linked to the production of target chemical products. Such certification data may indicate certifications required or requested by one or more downstream parties of the chemical product producer. Using such constraints can ensure that production allocations still meet the certifications related to the production of target chemical products required or requested by one or more downstream parties. Production allocation may include allocating the production of further output products produced by production chains and / or plants linked to the production of a target chemical product to further chemical production. This can increase the production capacity of production chains and / or plants to produce the target chemical product by shifting the production capacity of further chemical products to other chemical production or chemical production networks. The instruction may include one or more rules indicating the priority associated with each allocation. Production allocation may include allocating the production of output products linked to the provided target data over time. This may include the step of changing the production order of the output products produced by the production chain and / or plants.

[0174] Candidate relaxation data may include instructions that consider storage data associated with available target chemicals present in chemical storage facilities linked to a chemical production network and / or storage data associated with available target chemicals present in chemical storage facilities linked within a chemical production network over one or more time periods. Instructions may include rules indicating the conditions under which such storage quantities are considered.

[0175] In block 1304, the estimated impact of the mitigation data may be determined for each candidate mitigation data in the dataset based on each candidate mitigation data, the provided target data / aggregate data, and the provided digital representation. The step of determining the estimated impact is: The steps include: determining target production data for the production chain and / or plant based on candidate relaxation data, provided target data / aggregated data and provided digital representations; The process includes the step of determining the estimated impact by comparing at least a portion of the determined target production data with a capacity threshold.

[0176] The step of determining target production data may include a step of recalculating previously determined target production data while considering (e.g., using) each candidate relaxation data. For example, previously determined target production data may be recalculated using instructions to reduce the production of further output products. The recalculation may include a step of determining target production data using one or more conditions (or constraints) included in the candidate relaxation data to avoid further capacity shortages of output products in chemical production / chemical production networks located at different geographical locations. Thus, the impact of relaxation candidates on the production of other chemical products produced by such production chains may be considered when selecting appropriate relaxation data to compensate for identified capacity shortages. This can reduce or eliminate bottom-level equilibrium effects that may result in capacity shortages of other chemical products produced by the chemical production network.

[0177] The estimated impact may correspond to a score. The score may be based on the deviation of the target production data from the capacity threshold. The score may indicate the extent to which the candidate mitigation data compensates for the determined capacity deficit. The estimated impact may be a classifier that classifies whether the candidate mitigation data is suitable for eliminating or removing the determined capacity deficit. The classifier may be "appropriate" or "inappropriate". The classifier may be linked to the determination that the determined target production data falls below the capacity threshold. For example, if the determined target production data falls below at least a portion of the applicable capacity threshold, the classifier "appropriate" may be assigned as the estimated impact.

[0178] In block 1306, target mitigation data may be identified from one or more datasets based on a comparison of the estimated impacts of candidate mitigation data. Identifying target mitigation data may include a step of selecting candidate mitigation data associated with the best estimated impact. For example, candidate mitigation data associated with the classifier "appropriate" may be selected. In another example, candidate mitigation actions associated with the best impact score may be selected. The best impact score may refer to the score associated with candidate mitigation data that best compensates for the determined capacity deficit.

[0179] Referring again to Figure 12, generated relaxation data may be provided. The production capacity monitoring system 708 can provide the generated relaxation data to the operating system 506, which may be configured to generate monitoring and / or control data to adapt production using the generated relaxation data. Production may be adapted so that the chemical production network can produce target quantities of target chemical products over one or more periods linked to target data.

[0180] A digital twin may be generated that is linked to the chemical products produced according to the provided relaxation data, and this step is generally optional (see optional block 1220). The digital twin may include a decentralized identifier and chemical product data linked to the chemical product, as illustrated with reference to Figure 2, for example. The digital twin may be stored in data storage linked to the chemical product producer for access by downstream stakeholders such as chemical product consumers. Access to the stored digital twin may be controlled by the digital twin data owner, such as the chemical product producer, via a decentralized identifier, as illustrated with reference to Figure 2, for example.

[0181] By using a digital representation of the production chain related to the production of a target chemical product, capacity shortages occurring in the production chain and / or linked plants can be reliably identified, and mitigation data can be generated that is linked to mitigation measures that allow production to be adapted to guarantee the production of a target quantity of the target chemical product for one or more periods, while simultaneously avoiding the identified capacity shortage. In particular, by using one or more digital representations of a chemical production network that produces two or more chemical products from two or more input raw materials via interconnected, connected, and disconnected production chains, intermediates necessary for the production of chemical products can be flexibly distributed from one production chain to another so as to produce the quantities of chemical products required by downstream stakeholders while avoiding capacity shortages. For example, the production of a chemical product may be adapted to distribute the intermediates necessary for the production of the chemical product from the first production chain to the second production chain, and to produce the output of the second production chain (e.g., the chemical product) in the quantities required by downstream stakeholders. Mitigation data may be determined by selecting the optimal control data to compensate for the identified capacity shortage using a dataset that includes candidate mitigation control data linked to the identified capacity shortage. By using a digital representation of the production chain, the impact of candidate relaxation data on the production of other products produced by the production chain linked to the target chemical product can be determined and may be considered when selecting appropriate candidate relaxation data to compensate for the determined capacity shortage. This reduces or eliminates the bottom-level equilibrium effect that could cause a capacity shortage of other products produced by the production chain over one or more periods. The approach proposed herein ensures the highly reliable and timely production of the target chemical product based on target data provided by one or more downstream stakeholders, thus avoiding capacity shortages that would adversely affect downstream stakeholders in the supply chain up to the final product producer.

[0182] This disclosure has been described with regard to several preferred embodiments and examples. However, those skilled in the art who practice the claimed invention will be able to understand and implement other variations by examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the claims.

[0183] Any of the steps described herein can be performed in any order. The methods disclosed herein are not limited to any particular order of these steps. Different steps do not need to be performed at a specific location in a distributed system or at a specific computing node; that is, each step may be performed at a different computing node using different equipment / data processing.

[0184] As used herein, “determine” includes “initiate or bring about determination,” “generate” includes “initiate and / or bring about generation,” and “provide” includes “initiate or bring about determination, generation, selection, transmission and / or reception.” “Initiate or bring about the execution of an action” includes any processing signal that activates a computing node or device to perform each action.

[0185] The term "contains" in the claims and specification does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude plural. A single element or other unit may perform the function of multiple entities or items described in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are described in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in a favorable implementation. The term "contains" or "includes" or similar phrases in the claims and specification do not exclude other elements or steps and should not be interpreted as limiting the elements or steps described. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude plural. A single element or other unit may perform the function of multiple entities or items described in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are described in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in a favorable implementation or that further elements may be included.

[0186] Provided within the scope of this disclosure may include any interface configured to provide data. This may include application programming interfaces, human-machine interfaces such as displays, and / or software module interfaces. Providing data may include communicating or transmitting data to the interface, in particular display to the user or use of the data by the recipient.

[0187] All terms and definitions used herein are understood in a broad sense and have a general meaning.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of a chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the method (a) Providing target data from one or more downstream parties for the chemical product that is provided to the downstream parties over one or more periods; (b) Providing one or more digital representations linked to a production chain related to the production of the chemical product, which include plant data and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain; (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data, the provided digital representation and the capacity threshold, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step of generating mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A method comprising the step of providing the generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of the chemical product in accordance with the relaxation data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target data is provided from a computing node of a decentralized network via peer-to-peer communication, and the computing node is linked to one or more downstream parties.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target data includes a decentralized identifier, data associated with the chemical product, and quantity and period data of the chemical product.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plant data includes a plant identifier linked to a plant forming the production chain.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the production chain is connected or interconnected via the chemical intermediate.

6. The step of determining a shortage of production capacity is - A step of determining target production data for one or more periods for the production chain and / or plant linked to the provided digital representation, based on the provided target data and the provided digital representation, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the step of comparing the determined target production data with the capacity threshold associated with the production chain and / or the plant.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the production capacity shortage is determined through a virtual production process using the provided digital representation and the target data.

8. The step of generating relaxation data is - A step of generating warning message data, and / or The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the step of generating monitoring and / or control data to adapt the production of the chemical product.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising the step of generating monitoring and / or control data to monitor and / or control the production of the quantity of the chemical product requested by the one or more downstream parties, based on the provided target data and digital representation, if it is not determined that there is insufficient production capacity.

10. A device for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical products are produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the device is (a) A target data provision unit configured to provide target data from one or more downstream parties for the chemical product that is provided to the downstream parties over a period of one or more periods, (b) A data providing unit configured to provide one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of the chemical product, the digital representations including plant data and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain; (c) A production capacity shortage determination unit configured to determine a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data, the provided digital representation and the capacity threshold, (d) Relaxation data generation unit, - If a production capacity shortage is determined, mitigation data linked to mitigation measures related to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters will be generated. - An apparatus including a relaxation data generation unit configured to provide the generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of the chemical product in accordance with the relaxation data.

11. A system for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties, (a) an apparatus for monitoring and / or controlling the production of a quantity of chemical products requested by one or more downstream parties in accordance with claim 10, (b) A chemical production network, - Receiving the relaxation data or the monitoring and / or control data generated in accordance with the computer-implemented method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, - A system including a chemical production network configured to produce the chemical product from one or more input raw materials via one or more chemical intermediates according to the received data.

12. A computer-implemented method for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream stakeholders, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the method (a) A step of providing target data from one or more downstream parties for the chemical product that is provided to the downstream parties over one or more periods, (b) Providing one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of the chemical product, which include plant data and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain; (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data, the provided digital representation and the capacity threshold, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step of generating mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) A method comprising the step of providing the generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of the chemical product in accordance with the relaxation data.

13. An apparatus for generating relaxation data to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties, wherein the chemical product is produced from input raw materials via chemical intermediates through a chemical production network, and the apparatus comprises one or more computing nodes, and if executed by the one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps, namely: (a) Providing target data from one or more downstream parties for the chemical product that is provided to the downstream parties over one or more periods; (b) Providing one or more digital representations linked to a production chain used in the production of the chemical product, which include plant data and capacity thresholds for each plant and / or production chain; (c) A step of determining a production capacity shortage based on the provided target data, the provided digital representation and the capacity threshold, (d) If it is determined that there is a shortage of production capacity, the step of generating mitigation data linked to mitigation measures relating to input raw materials, intermediate products, chemical products and / or production parameters, (e) an apparatus comprising one or more computer-readable media containing a computer-executable instruction structured to perform the step of providing the generated relaxation data in order to adapt the production of the chemical product in accordance with the relaxation data.

14. The use of relaxation data generated by the computer-implemented method or apparatus described in claim 13 to adapt the production of a chemical product to produce a quantity of the chemical product requested by one or more downstream parties.

15. A chemical product produced by a chemical production network using relaxation data generated by a computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or by an apparatus according to claim 10.

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