IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i13p5974-d1690334.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of Opportunities to Reduce CO 2 and NO X Emissions Through the Improvement of Internal Inter-Operational Transport

Author

Listed:
  • Szymon Pawlak

    (Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

  • Tomasz Małysa

    (Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

  • Angieszka Fornalczyk

    (Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

  • Angieszka Sobianowska-Turek

    (Department of Water and Wastewater Management and Waste Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Marzena Kuczyńska-Chałada

    (Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Materials Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

Abstract

The reduction of environmental pollutant emissions—including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and other harmful substances—represents one of the foremost challenges in climate policy, economics, and industrial management today. Excessive emissions of CO 2 , NO X , and suspended particulates exert significant impacts on climate change as well as human health and welfare. Consequently, numerous studies and regulatory and technological initiatives are underway to mitigate these emissions. One critical area is intra-plant transport within manufacturing facilities, which, despite its localized scope, can substantially contribute to a company’s total emissions. This paper aims to assess the potential of computer simulation using FlexSim software as a decision-support tool for planning inter-operational transport, with a particular focus on environmental aspects. The study analyzes real operational data from a selected production plant (case study), concentrating on the optimization of the number of transport units, their routing, and the layout of workstations. It is hypothesized that reducing the number of trips, shortening transport routes, and efficiently utilizing transport resources can lead to lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO X ). The findings provide a basis for a broader adoption of digital tools in sustainable production planning, emphasizing the integration of environmental criteria into decision-making processes. Furthermore, the results offer a foundation for future analyses that consider the development of green transport technologies—such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles—in the context of their implementation in the internal logistics of manufacturing enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Szymon Pawlak & Tomasz Małysa & Angieszka Fornalczyk & Angieszka Sobianowska-Turek & Marzena Kuczyńska-Chałada, 2025. "Analysis of Opportunities to Reduce CO 2 and NO X Emissions Through the Improvement of Internal Inter-Operational Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5974-:d:1690334
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5974/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5974/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiaowei Song & Yongpei Hao, 2021. "Research on the Vehicle Emission Characteristics and Its Prevention and Control Strategy in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    3. Mariano Gallo & Mario Marinelli, 2023. "The Use of Hydrogen for Traction in Freight Transport: Estimating the Reduction in Fuel Consumption and Emissions in a Regional Context," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Mustapa, Siti Indati & Bekhet, Hussain Ali, 2016. "Analysis of CO2 emissions reduction in the Malaysian transportation sector: An optimisation approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 171-183.
    5. Augustyn Lorenc, 2024. "Cross-Docking Layout Optimization in FlexSim Software Based on Cold Chain 4PL Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Alireza Abdollahi & Karim Rejeb & Abderahman Rejeb & Mohamed M. Mostafa & Suhaiza Zailani, 2021. "Wireless Sensor Networks in Agriculture: Insights from Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Ole Ellegaard & Johan A. Wallin, 2015. "The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: How great is the impact?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(3), pages 1809-1831, December.
    8. Abdessalem Jerbi & Haifa Jribi & Awad M. Aljuaid & Wafik Hachicha & Faouzi Masmoudi, 2022. "Design of Supply Chain Transportation Pooling Strategy for Reducing CO 2 Emissions Using a Simulation-Based Methodology: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Pan, Shenle & Ballot, Eric & Fontane, Frédéric, 2013. "The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport by pooling supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 86-94.
    10. Shenle Pan & Eric Ballot & Frédéric Fontane, 2013. "The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport by pooling supply chains," Post-Print hal-00733678, HAL.
    11. Miriam Pekarcikova & Peter Trebuna & Marek Kliment & Michal Dic, 2021. "Solution of Bottlenecks in the Logistics Flow by Applying the Kanban Module in the Tecnomatix Plant Simulation Software," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
    12. Lee, Chia-Yen & Zhou, Peng, 2015. "Directional shadow price estimation of CO2, SO2 and NOx in the United States coal power industry 1990–2010," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 493-502.
    13. Jarosław Brodny & Magdalena Tutak, 2020. "The Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Analyze Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emissions from the Mining and Quarrying Sector in the European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-31, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. repec:ers:journl:v:xxviii:y:2025:i:1:p:761-782 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Qian Dai & Jiaqi Yang & Dong Li, 2018. "Modeling a Three-Mode Hybrid Port-Hinterland Freight Intermodal Distribution Network with Environmental Consideration: The Case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Migliavacca, Milena & Goodell, John W. & Paltrinieri, Andrea, 2023. "A bibliometric review of portfolio diversification literature," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    4. Yi Zheng & Huchang Liao & Xue Yang, 2016. "Stochastic Pricing and Order Model with Transportation Mode Selection for Low-Carbon Retailers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Théodore Nikiema & Eugène C. Ezin & Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of the State of Research on Agroecology Adoption and Methods Used for Its Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Ainun Hasanah & Jing Wu, 2025. "Bibliometric analysis and global research trends of climate change and cities studies for 30 years (1990–2021)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 5573-5617, March.
    7. Manta Eduard Mihai & Davidescu Adriana Ana Maria & Geambasu Maria Cristina & Florescu Margareta Stela, 2023. "Exploring the research area of direct taxation. An empirical analysis based on bibliometric analysis results," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 18(s1), pages 355-383, December.
    8. De Moor, Bram J. & Creemers, Stefan & Boute, Robert N., 2023. "Breaking truck dominance in supply chains: Proactive freight consolidation and modal split transport," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    9. Jianming Yao, 2017. "Optimisation of one-stop delivery scheduling in online shopping based on the physical Internet," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(2), pages 358-376, January.
    10. Satish Kumar & Dipasha Sharma & Sandeep Rao & Weng Marc Lim & Sachin Kumar Mangla, 2025. "Past, present, and future of sustainable finance: insights from big data analytics through machine learning of scholarly research," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 345(2), pages 1061-1104, February.
    11. Ionut Marius Croitoru & Paula-Paraschiva Dragan (SPIRIDON) & Nicoleta Daniela Ignat & Romanita Jumanca, 2025. "Exploring Financial Literacy in Higher Education with the Help of FinTech: A Bibliometric Analysis of Linkages to Access, Behavior, and Well-Being Through Digital Innovation," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-17, January.
    12. Albiona Pestisha & Zoltán Gabnai & Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Péter Lengyel & Attila Bai, 2023. "On-Farm Renewable Energy Systems: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    13. Zhao, Rui & Zhou, Xiao & Han, Jiaojie & Liu, Chengliang, 2016. "For the sustainable performance of the carbon reduction labeling policies under an evolutionary game simulation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 262-274.
    14. Marius Ionel Cetina & Oana Raluca Ivan, 2021. "The Importance of Internal Audit In Public Sector Research - A Bibliometric Study -," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 976-986, December.
    15. Meng, Xiaoge & Yao, Zhong & Nie, Jiajia & Zhao, Yingxue & Li, Zenglu, 2018. "Low-carbon product selection with carbon tax and competition: Effects of the power structure," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 224-230.
    16. Carlos Sampaio & João Renato Sebastião & Luís Farinha, 2024. "Hospitality and Tourism Demand: Exploring Industry Shifts, Themes, and Trends," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, October.
    17. Maria Denisa Vasilescu & Simona Andreea Apostu & Eva Militaru & Eglantina Hysa, 2022. "Public Opinion on European Health Policy, Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
    18. Mrabti, Nassim & Hamani, Nadia & Boulaksil, Youssef & Amine Gargouri, Mohamed & Delahoche, Laurent, 2022. "A multi-objective optimization model for the problems of sustainable collaborative hub location and cost sharing," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    19. Weisheng Chiu & Thomas Chun Man Fan & Sang-Back Nam & Ping-Hung Sun, 2021. "Knowledge Mapping and Sustainable Development of eSports Research: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    20. Zhalechian, M. & Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, R. & Zahiri, B. & Mohammadi, M., 2016. "Sustainable design of a closed-loop location-routing-inventory supply chain network under mixed uncertainty," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 182-214.
    21. Nchofoung, Tii N. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "Effects of infrastructures on environmental quality contingent on trade openness and governance dynamics in Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 152-163.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5974-:d:1690334. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.