Industry
Early-warning system for plastics processing
Plastics processing companies are doubly vulnerable: energy-intensive in processing and dependent on plastic granulate that mostly arrives at the plants by barge on the Rhine. SignalChain assesses daily which external developments could become relevant for this industry.
Why is plastics processing particularly vulnerable?
Injection-moulding and extrusion plants need large amounts of electricity, while production simultaneously depends on the availability of plastic granulate. If the Rhine water level falls below an economically relevant mark, deliveries can be delayed or become more expensive – alongside possible energy price swings that directly affect production costs.
Assess risks for plastics processing earlier
SignalChain shows you daily which external developments could become relevant for your procurement and production.
How can this affect a business?
A typical sequence:
The water level itself is officially measurable; whether and how strongly an individual business is affected depends on its own stock reserves and sourcing route.
Which risks are especially relevant for plastics processing?
- Plastic granulate
- The most important input material, whose delivery can depend on transport routes and the Rhine water level.
- Energy prices
- Injection moulding and extrusion are energy-intensive processing steps that can react to electricity prices.
- Transport routes
- Reliance on barge transport for raw material deliveries increases the impact of low-water situations.
How does SignalChain help?
SignalChain monitors the Rhine water level at economically relevant gauges, the wholesale electricity price, and official reports on transport routes every day, and assesses whether a development could become relevant for your granulate procurement.
For official hazard and disaster warnings, the relevant authorities remain the definitive source; SignalChain does not provide advice for your individual situation.
Assess risks for plastics processing earlier
SignalChain shows you daily which external developments could become relevant for your procurement and production.
Why are low water levels relevant for plastics processing?
Because plastic granulate is often delivered by barge on the Rhine, and a low water level can limit loading capacity.
How quickly does a rise in energy prices take effect?
Potentially quickly for energy-intensive steps such as injection moulding and extrusion.
Does SignalChain replace an in-house risk department?
No, but it takes over the daily monitoring of external developments that otherwise no one in the business would have time for.