Modeling an optimized, sustainable supply chain of biofertilizer, using Sargassum forbiogas production in Grenada

Grenada is a small island country located in the southeast Caribbean region. Since 2011 the influx of the intrusive macroalgae Sargassum has become overwhelming for the nation to handle. Once it accumulates along the coasts, washes up on beaches, and begins to rot, it is harmful to nearby residents, destroying marine life, and negatively affecting the fish industries along the east coast of the island. Today, the island relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for electricity. A possible solution to the problem has been identified by the Grenadian company SarGas where the washed-up algae can be used for biogas production, aimed at producing electricity, with the by-product biofertilizer. Following SarGas’ plans to implement a large-scale biogas production facility in Telescope, Grenada, a suitable and sustainable supply chain is necessary. The supply chain incorporates several pre-identified stakeholders on the island, and due to the non-linear physical transportation of input biomass and output fertilizer, the supply chain is more so considered a business ecosystem where circular economy initiatives occur. Therefore, it is also necessary to implement a viable mode of communication between the actors, where the efficacy of a knowledge management system is evaluated. The study was conducted as an empirical study using qualitative data. The data was collected through 12 interviews with experts in biogas production in Sweden and stakeholders on the island. To gain a basic understanding of supply chains regarding biogas production in Sweden, five experts were identified and interviewed. The interviews in Grenada were conducted as joint meetings and site visits conducted during an 8-week-long field study in Grenada. The stakeholders were identified as potential suppliers of input biomass and consumers of output fertilizer. Resulting from the data, a descriptive model of the ecosystem was evaluated. The evaluation focused mainly on the number of transportation truckloads, necessary storage facilities, and the ...