A Model for determining Industry Clusters portfolio of the Natural Gas Value Chain based on Industrial Clusters Structure (ICS) analysis

Following globalization and intensifying the competition in the business environment, most of the businesses are looking for competitive advantages. One way to achieve this goal is to form industrial clusters. In this paper, an screening model is introduced for determining industry clusters portfolio of the natural gas value chain. The model uses Industrial Clusters Structures (ICS), and develops a sequential filters-based technique to select the the portfolio. At the first phase, all products of natural gas value chain and their industrial clusters are identified. Next, on the basis of forming criteria of industrial cluster, high potential products to form a cluster are recognized. Then, they are evaluated and filtered based on a techno-economy and environmental feasibility study. Finally, the candidate products to form industrial cluster of natural gas are specified. In accordance with the natural gas experts opinions, a Nominal Group Technique (NGT) has been conducted to demonstrate the validity of the model. Moreover, the application of the proposed model was implemented in a a real case extracted from Iran petro-chemical industry. We believe that using the proposed model helps the relevant analysts to make decisions in most productive manner.