50,933 research outputs found
Eco-innovation opportunities in the waste management sector in Scotland
Creating more circular economies that retain and recirculate the value of resources within an economy is gaining significant attention, with the concept of industrial symbiosis assisting businesses to reduce resource leakage from local economies. An eco-industrial park applies industrial symbiosis on the scale of an industrial park and may incorporate additional features such as shared infrastructure and services that assist in reducing environmental impacts and improving resource efficiency. This paper provides an overview of the application of the industrial symbiosis concept in Scotland and presents findings of the ACE Eco-Partnerships project, which attempted to identify and develop opportunities for industrial symbiosis in the Tayside and Fife region of Scotland, particularly on the scale of eco-industrial parks. The paper provides reflection on some of the barriers to eco-industrial park development, with specific reference to “retrofitting” industrial symbiosis onto existing industrial parks versus developing new eco-industrial parks
Building institutional capacity for industrial symbiosis development : a case study of an industrial symbiosis coordination network in China
Recent research has examined how the concept of institutional capacity relates to the ability of organisations to deliver industrial symbiosis, and in particular how that ability itself can develop over time. One approach to developing industrial symbiosis has been to build a network of local bodies to work together to this end. Terming such a body an industrial symbiosis coordination network, this study innovatively applies institutional capacity building theory in the context of a Chinese eco-industrial park. It examines how the coordination network developed the expertise to encourage local companies to engage in industrial symbiosis. This research consisted of a qualitative study, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews and document analysis to analyse the development of an industrial symbiosis coordination network in Tianjin Binhai New Area. It is found that the network increased institutional capacity for local IS development by promoting relational links across organisational divisions and governance levels, and by increasing various types of knowledge for coordinating IS. The concept of institutional capacity building is shown to have cross-cultural applicability. Reflections on this study indicate that local government can play a vital role in building and maintaining an IS coordination network in the Chinese context, but that other bodies are also needed to mobilise institutional capacity for IS development
The industrial symbiosis approach: A classification of business models
Industrial symbiosis is a collaborative approach concerning physical exchange of materials, energy, and services among different firms: accordingly, wastes produced by a given firm are exploited as inputs by other firms. This approach is able to generate remarkable environmental benefits, since it allows to reduce the amount of wastes disposed of in the landfill and the amount of primary inputs used by the industrial sector. It has been proved that the economic logic is the basis of symbiotic exchanges. Through industrial symbiosis, firms are interested to achieve competitive advantage coming from lower production costs and revenue increase. Therefore, the first requirement for the establishment of a symbiotic relationship is its economic sustainability for all the firms involved. In this paper, from the analysis of actual cases of industrial symbiosis, we develop a classification of business models oriented to the symbiotic approach. The classification is based on the different ways in which industrial symbiosis is able to generate economic benefits for the firm that implements it. Six different business models oriented to industrial symbiosis have been identified. The proposed classification could be useful at the company level, in order to promote the implementation of the symbiotic approach, providing a guide about how to integrate it within its current business models
Industrial symbiosis in European policy: overview of recent progress
The aim of the paper is to explain the cooperation and processes realized within the industrial networks based on the principles of industrial symbiosis in Denmark, Russia and Slovakia. The identified examples can be characterized as best practices in the field of industrial symbiosis that influences importantly the development of regions, where they are localized. Industrial symbiosis as a voluntary cooperation of enterprises with the aim to optimize production costs and improve the environment could influence positively the development of areas where the companies are operating. The paper includes three examples of ‘best practices’ from Denmark, Russia and Slovakia. The examples refer the wide range of benefits that this kind of cooperation brings
Industrial symbiosis and urban areas: A systematic literature review and future research directions
This paper proposes a systematic literature review concerning the implementation of industrial symbiosis (IS) within urban areas, a concept that has been defined by the literature as "urban symbiosis" and "urban-industrial symbiosis", indifferently. 26 papers published between 2009 and 2018 are analyzed. This review is aimed at highlighting: (1) the specific research goals addressed; (2) the IS synergies currently implemented within urban areas; and (3) barriers and enablers to the implementation of IS within urban areas. Suggestions for future research are also proposed
Treatment and valorization plants in materials recovery supply chain
Aim of industrial symbiosis is to create synergies between industries in order to exchange resources (by-products, water and energy) through geographic proximity and collaboration [1]. By optimizing resource flows in a “whole-system approach”, a minimization of dangerous emissions and of supply needs can be achieved. Resources exchanges are established to facilitate recycling and re-use of industrial waste using a commercial vehicle. Several paths can be identified in order to establish an industrial symbiosis network (Figure 1, left), in relation (i) to the life cycle phase (raw material, component, product) and (ii) to the nature (material, water, energy) of the resource flows to be exchanged. Sometimes by-products and/or waste of an industrial process have to be treated and valorized in order to become the raw materials for others. In particular, two main treatment processes can be identified: refurbishment/upgrade for re-use (Figure 1, center) and recycling for material recovery (Figure 1, right). A brief overview of technological and economic aspects is given, together with their relevance to industrial symbiosis
Industrial Symbiosis in Norwegian Industrial Clusters : A Qualitative Study of Drivers and Barriers Faced by Norwegian Industrial Clusters when Initiating and Implementing Industrial Symbiosis Practices
We are currently facing a global economy in need of becoming more circular and it is necessary for the industry to be a part of this transition. To accomplish this, the industry needs to engage in cross-industrial collaboration through the exchange of excess resources, also recognized as industrial symbiosis. While international research on industrial symbiosis is extensive, limited studies have been conducted on this topic within a Norwegian context specifically. In this master’s thesis, we will therefore investigate how industrial symbiosis practices can be successfully initiated and implemented in Norwegian industrial clusters.
For this thesis, we have chosen an exploratory, qualitative approach to study eleven Norwegian industrial clusters engaging in industrial symbiosis. We have conducted interviews with representatives from the cluster management organizations to gain valuable insight into the perspectives on initiating and implementing industrial symbiosis.
The thesis yields several findings, primarily related to four aspects. Firstly, we have identified the main drivers for the initiation of industrial symbiosis, both internal: economic benefits and environmental responsibility, and external: stakeholder pressure on environmental production practices and upcoming international regulations. Secondly, we have identified ten barriers that Norwegian industrial clusters might face in their implementation of industrial symbiosis, related to technical, organizational, social, economic, and institutional dimensions. Subsequently, we found that these barriers might be overcome through seven suggested solutions: fostering pride and community; establishing a shared vision, strategy, and goals; having a third-party to identify and initiate industrial symbiosis; having a third-party to facilitate negotiations; learning about industrial symbiosis by engaging with other clusters; collaborating with other stakeholders; and influencing policymakers. Furthermore, we related these potential solutions to four identified overarching goals, namely: building a collaborative culture, establishing trust, cultivating knowledge of industrial symbiosis, and finding feasible solutions. Finally, we have explored the significance of the key stakeholders of industrial symbiosis activities, which we have identified as significant companies and individuals, cluster facilitators, research institutions, and governmental actors.
The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to filling the addressed research gap and to serve as a tool for Norwegian clusters that want to initiate or are in the process of implementing industrial symbiosis practices.nhhma
Knowledge transfer to facilitate industrial symbiosis : a case study of UK-China collaborators
Interest in how industrial production could be adapted to promote sustainable development has increased in recent decades worldwide. Industrial symbiosis (where one company’s unwanted materials become the input for another company) is one approach to reducing the environmental impact of production, which itself has attracted widespread policy interest. The UK’s National Industrial Symbiosis Programme has become known internationally as an example of a successful industrial symbiosis initiative, attracting both academic interest and policy imitation. However, the suitability of industrial symbiosis development initiatives to be transferred between geographic contexts is a largely neglected issue in industrial symbiosis literature. Practice replication can be viewed as a knowledge transfer process. In order to address that issue, this study adopts a theoretical framework drawn from the knowledge transfer literature, which suggests that language skills, technical assistance and expertise are among the factors influencing the success of international attempts at practice replication. The knowledge transfer literature, however, has focussed on commercial activity, i.e., firms’ primary activities, not environmental initiatives such as industrial symbiosis. Theoretical framework on knowledge transfer is therefore adopted to study the topic.The research aims to provide a deeper understanding of factors affecting the process of replicating one country’s industrial symbiosis development practice to another. A European Commission funded project replicating the UK’s industrial symbiosis network facilitation approach to the Tianjin Binhai New Area of China has been selected to conduct an in-depth case study. This case study can be viewed as a transnational knowledge transfer practice. In addition, this research used a knowledge transfer perspective to inform an in-depth analysis of the organisation of National Industrial Symbiosis Programme. Also, it conducted the analysis of policy context affecting industrial symbiosis activities in the UK and China to provide a background of industrial symbiosis development in the two countries. Qualitative research methods such as semi-structured interviews and participant observation have been used to collect data.This research contributes to knowledge transfer theory through proposing a knowledge-based model illustrating the process of knowledge development within an organisation and the process of transnational knowledge transfer from the knowledge source to another. Also, factors affecting the process of transnational knowledge transfer have been summarised. In addition, the research provides a deeper understanding of a industrial symbiosis network facilitation approach which has been widely cited as an industrial symbiosis development exemplar. Theoretical contributions could guide future transnational collaborations on replicating good practices for industrial sustainable development
Implementation Barriers of Industrial Symbiosis: A Systematic Review
Industrial Symbiosis is a regional inter-firm approach towards a more sustainable industry. However, the implementation of industrial symbiosis is hampered by a multitude and variety of barriers. Although, prior work has dealt with identifying barriers, an encompassing overview is missing to date. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive overview and description of barriers of industrial symbiosis by reviewing the scientific literature. Barriers were identified and grouped through content analysis. In total, ca. 400 barriers for the implementation of industrial symbiosis were identified and categorized into three main categories and nine subcategories. The insights gained can be used to develop strategies and tools for further development and advancement of current industrial symbiosis practice to overcome existing barriers
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