Knauf (Germany)

Abstract The Discrete-event simulation (DES) has become a critical tool in modern manufacturing, enabling process optimization, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making. This study systematically evaluates 4 leading DES software solutions, assessing their capabilities, industrial adoption, and integration with emerging technologies. Key aspects include their modelling approaches, automation capabilities, scripting environments, digital twin integration, and support for risk-based planning and scheduling (RBS). A structured literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed sources published in the last ten years, focusing on manufacturing, healthcare, and supply chain applications. The findings reveal that while DES software enhances efficiency and scalability, challenges remain in computational complexity, interoperability, and real-time analytics. Moreover, gaps persist in autonomous decision-making and the standardization of DES models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of DES trends and research challenges, offering insights into future advancements in smart manufacturing. The study contributes to both academia and industry by identifying key areas for further development.

Frühe Maingeschichte. Archäologie am Fluss, hg. von Margarete Klein-Pfeuffer und Markus Mergenthaler für das Knauf-Museum Iphofen, Mainz: Nünnerich-Asmus Verlag & Media GmbH 2017. 288 S., 169 Farb- und s/w Abb. ISBN 978–3–945751–99–2. Geb. € 24,90

ABSTRACTTo fully analyze the forestry and wood products sector's impact on climate protection through the reduction of CO2 emissions, it is necessary to integrate all aspects of both carbon storage and the substitution effects of forestry and wood use. Substitution effects are assessed based on specific assumptions derived from life-cycle assessment studies, which for the purpose of comparison usually refer to the respective energy mix. This definition is, however, normative. Different assumptions regarding fossil fuel substitution, such as marginal benefit or changing energy mix, are also possible. This paper discusses which of these alternative assumptions are most appropriate for analyzing fossil fuel substitution and then, based on three different approaches (status quo, changing energy mix, marginal fossil), shows the variation in the results these assumptions provide. The calculations include three different forest management strategies in order to show the effects of forest C sinks and different wood volumes available for use (material and energy). Long-term simulations tracking the C effects of forestry and wood use reveal the greatest variations. These findings are useful for deciding between different forestry management scenarios and strategies for wood product and energy use from a climate protection perspective.

BackgroundAt the 15th Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Copenhagen, 2009, harvested wood products were identified as an additional carbon pool. This modification eliminates inconsistencies in greenhouse gas reporting by recognizing the role of the forest and timber sector in the global carbon cycle. Any additional CO2-effects related to wood usage are not considered by this modification. This results in a downward bias when the contribution of the forest and timber sector to climate change mitigation is assessed. The following article analyses the overall contribution to climate protection made by the forest management and wood utilization through CO2-emissions reduction using an example from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Based on long term study periods (2011 to 2050 and 2100, respectively). Various alternative scenarios for forest management and wood usage are presented.ResultsIn the mid- to long-term (2050 and 2100, respectively) the net climate protection function of scenarios with varying levels of wood usage is higher than in scenarios without any wood usage. This is not observed for all scenarios on short and mid term evaluations.The advantages of wood usage are evident although the simulations resulted in high values for forest storage in the C pools. Even the carbon sink effect due to temporal accumulation of deadwood during the period from 2011 to 2100 is outbalanced by the potential of wood usage effects.ConclusionsA full assessment of the CO2-effects of the forest management requires an assessment of the forest supplemented with an assessment of the effects of wood usage. CO2-emission reductions through both fuel and material substitution as well as CO2 sink in wood products need to be considered.An integrated assessment of the climate protection function based on the analysis of the study’s scenarios provides decision parameters for a strategic approach to climate protection with regard to forest management and wood use at regional and national levels.The short-term evaluation of subsystems can be misleading, rendering long-term evaluations (until 2100, or even longer) more effective. This is also consistent with the inherently long-term perspective of forest management decisions and measures.

BackgroundThe forestry and wood products industries play a significant role in CO2 emissions reduction by increasing carbon stocks in living forest biomass and wood products. Moreover, wood can substitute for fossil fuels. Different methods can be used to assess the impact of regional forestry and wood products industries on regional CO2 emissions. This article considers three of those methods and combines them into a multi-tiered approach.ResultsThe multi-tiered approach proposed in this article combines: 1) a Kyoto-Protocol-oriented method focused on changes in CO2 emissions resulting from regional industrial production, 2) a consumer-oriented method focused on changes in CO2 emissions resulting from regional consumption, and 3) a value-creation-oriented method focused on changes in CO2 emissions resulting from forest management and wood usage strategies. North Rhine-Westphalia is both a typical German state and an example of a region where each of these three methods yields different results. It serves as a test case with which to illustrate the advantages of the proposed approach.ConclusionsThis case study argues that the choice of assessment methods is essential when developing and evaluating a strategy for reducing CO2 emissions. Emissions can be reduced through various social and economic processes. Since none of the assessment methods considered above is suitable for all of these processes, only a multi-tiered approach may ensure that strategy development results in an optimal emissions reduction strategy.

This paper examines whether the expanded meaning of the term sustainability and its broader use in society, policy and economics will actually bring about the benefits experts anticipate for the forest-based sector. It begins by defining sustainability as a travelling concept, then presents and analyzes two current lines of discourse in Germany on sustainability, both with high relevance for the forest-based sector: strong sustainability and sustainable building. The analysis shows that each discourse has developed and established a diametrically opposed meaning of sustainability. As a result, it could be argued that the two meanings pose a threat to the German forest-based sector by reducing the raw material base and ultimately minimizing market opportunities. This reasoning reveals a paradox: as the term sustainability, originally coined by the forestry sector, becomes mainstream, it could end up limiting the sector’s future growth.