An Environmental Management Information System for Eco-Efficiency of Agro-Industries in Thailand Based on Material Flow Networks

Abstract

This paper introduces a joint Thai-German cooperation project for the development of a Management Information System for Eco-efficiency in the Thai agro-industrial sub-sector of palm oil production. The project aims at the improvement of the information and decision basis for factory management on a short term as well as long term basis, with the objective to foster resource efficiency and strengthen long-term competitiveness. The MIS consists of a database application with short production term data as well as a reference Material Flow Network production model for longer term production process data providing management reports with key performance indicators, material and energy balances and benchmark charts. The application of the rather complex model-based system is facilitated by an Assistant program guiding the user through a self explanatory dialog. The approach can be transferred to other industrial branches with rather standardized production processes allowing the development of standard reference models.