Case Study: ARC Advisory Group achieves supply chain optimization and reduced unplanned downtime with Aspen Technology

Digital Twins Support Supply Chain Optimization

ARC Advisory Group examined the challenge of optimizing supply chain planning in heavy process industries, where failures of critical equipment like hyper compressors can cause costly, days‑long shutdowns and complex production sequencing issues. ARC evaluated solutions that integrate predictive maintenance data into scheduling and identified Aspen Technology’s offerings—notably Aspen Mtell for machine‑learning based failure forecasting and Aspen Plant Scheduler—as relevant tools to address these problems.

Aspen Technology implemented an integrated digital‑twin maintenance model combining Aspen Mtell’s predictive alerts with Aspen Plant Scheduler’s optimization to schedule planned downtime and trade off customer commitments, inventory, and manufacturing costs. Aspen Technology’s Mtell can provide more than 25 days’ advance warning of certain failures (e.g., central valve failures in LDPE processes), enabling less‑disruptive maintenance, minimized production loss, and potential savings of millions of dollars a year, according to ARC.

ARC Advisory Group

Steve Banker

Vice President of Supply Chain Services