Fuzzy input–output model for optimizing eco-industrial supply chains under water footprint constraints

Global water stress is expected to increase due to population growth, economic development and climate change. Because of this trend, there is an increased interest in the water intensity of industrial activities conducted via the product supply chain or within specified geographical boundaries or regions, both at the enterprise- or regulatory-level. The total water footprint of economic activities should be evaluated in consideration of local water resource consumption, virtual water trade and resource availability. As individual entities seek to protect their respective interests, the challenge is to optimize inter-regional trade of goods with the consideration of the interests of participants in the network. This work presents a fuzzy input–output model for optimizing supply chains under water footprint constraints. Two case studies, involving tile manufacturing and biofuel production, are considered to demonstrate the use of the model.