Optimized locating of fluting paper plant from agricultural residues using AHP (based on benefit and cost approach)

A suitable location plays an important role in the competitiveness of a plant inthe market and should be selected such that it allows access to strategic advantagescompared with other competitors. The aim of the current study was identificationoptimized location of fluting paper plant from agricultural residues in Mazandaranprovince using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). After performing pilotstudies, indices effective in selection of a place for establishing fluting paper plantwas identified in Mazandaran province; then, a hierarchy of indices and subindiceswere designed based on the benefit and cost structure; and finally, valueweightedindex of each of them was determined using questionnaire and dataanalysis in expert choice software medium. In the second stage, alternatives havebeen prioritized based on the benefits to costs ratio (B/C) in order to determine thebest place among the alternatives of east, west and center of the province. Resultsshow that the eastern part of Mazandaran province has the highest benefit to costratio and is the best place for establishing fluting paper plant from agriculturalresidues in Mazandaran province.