A novel knowledge repository to support industrial symbiosis

The development of tools and methods supporting the identification of Industrial Symbiosis opportunities is of utmost importance to unlock its full potential. Knowledge repositories have proven to be powerful tools in this sense, but often fail mainly due to poor contextualization of information and lack of general applicability (out of the boundaries of specific areas or projects). In this work, a novel approach to the design of knowledge repositories for Industrial Symbiosis is presented, based on the inclusion and categorization of tacit knowledge as well as on the combination of mimicking and input-output matching approaches. The results of a first usability test of the proposed tool are also illustrated

A novel knowledge repository to support Industrial Symbiosis

The development of tools and methods supporting the identification of In-dustrial Symbiosis opportunities is of utmost importance to unlock its full potential. Knowledge repositories have proven to be powerful tools in this sense, but often fail mainly due to poor contextualization of information and lack of general applicability (out of the boundaries of specific areas or pro-jects). In this work, a novel approach to the design of knowledge repositories for Industrial Symbiosis is presented, based on the inclusion and categoriza-tion of tacit knowledge as well as on the combination of mimicking and in-put-output matching approaches. The results of a first usability test of the proposed tool are also illustrated

Industrial symbiosis implementation by leveraging on process efficiency methodologies

Resource efficiency is a crucial step for manufacturing companies to improve their operations performance and to reduce waste generation. However, there is no guarantee of a zero waste scenario and companies need to look for new strategies to complement their resource efficiency vision. Therefore, it is important to enroll in an industrial symbiosis strategy as a means to maximize industrial value capturing through the exchange of resources (waste, energy, water and by-products) between different processes and companies. Within this, it is crucial to quantify and characterize the waste, e.g. to have clear understanding of the potential industrial symbiosis hot spots among the processes. For such characterization, it is proposed to use an innovative process efficiency assessment approach. This empowers a clear understanding and quantification of efficiency that identifies industrial symbiosis hot spots (donors) in low efficiency process steps, and enables a plausible definition of potential cold spots (receivers), in order to promote the symbiotic exchanges

A collaboration platform for enabling industrial symbiosis : towards creating a self-learning waste-to-resource database for recommending industrial symbiosis transactions using text analytics

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) adopts a collaborative approach, which aims to re-channel resources – traditionally considered spent and non-productive – towards alternative value-adding pathways. Empirically, the concept of IS has been rapidly implemented in practice through a facilitated approach, whereby businesses are engaged and “match-made” via a facilitating body. While recommending alternative pathways for companies to establish IS-based transactions is a long-standing practice, recent technological advancement has shifted the nature of this task from one that is based purely on human intellect and reasoning, towards one which leverages intelligent recommendation algorithms to provide relevant suggestions. Traditionally, these recommendation engines rely on manually populated knowledge bases that are not only labor-intensive to build but also costly to maintain. This work presents the creation of a self-learning waste-to-resource database supporting an IS recommendation system by utilizing text analytics techniques. We further demonstrate its practical application to support IS facilitating bodies in their core activity

An assessment of European information technology tools to support industrial symbiosis

Industrial symbiosis (IS) has proven to bring collective benefits to multiple stakeholders by minimising underutilised resources, sharing knowledge and improving business and technical processes. In Europe alone, over €130 million have been invested since 2006 in research projects that enable IS by developing a methodology, tool, software, platform or network that facilitates the uptake of IS by different economic actors. This paper discusses and assesses information technology (IT) developments for supporting IS in Europe, following the five-stage methodology of Grant et al. (2010). It provides guidance to the applicants and reviewers of publicly funded research projects by listing the developments and gaps in the newly developed IT tools for IS. Content analysis of publicly available information on 20 IS supporting IT tools reveals a strong focus on synergy identification but a lack of support for the implementation stage of IS. The paper indicates that a vast quantity of IT tools and knowledge is created during the IT tool development stage and newer IT tools now also include implicit information for identifying IS. It was found that successfully operational IT tools are either part of a national or local IS programme or owned by a private company. The paper ends with the recommendation that better mechanisms are needed to ensure that publicly funded IS-supporting IT tools successfully reach the market

How digitalisation can enable industrial symbiosis practices : a case study

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) encourages a collaborative approach aiming at recovering, reprocessing and reusing non-labour resources and it is a promising solution for mitigating the rising cost of non-labour resource. Introducing IS is a knowledge intensive process and researchers have developed various information and communication (ICT) tools to support the process. However, the use of these tools in the actual industrial practice has not been adequately investigated yet. This study investigates the role that ICT tools play in facilitating the process of creating IS through a case study of International Synergies – the company which facilitated the world’s first national-level IS programme (i.e. NISP UK). Results suggest that the role of digitalisation can increase practitioners’ productivity mainly through data analytics

Horizon scanning the European bio-based economy:A novel approach to identification of barriers and key policy interventions from stakeholders in multiple sectors and regions

There is international recognition that developing a climate-smart bioeconomy is essential to the continuation of economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation to climatic change; Bio-based products have an important role in making this transition happen. Supporting policy interventions have been put forward at European and national levels to support innovation and development of bio-based products and services. This study asks whether suggested policy interventions reflect the needs of stakeholders and examines how these needs vary between European regions. This consultation was performed through an online survey of 447 experts actively involved in bio-based research, industry, and governance across Europe. The majority of responses received were from stakeholders in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK which are examined in greater depth. Climate change was clearly an important driver for bio-based innovation as 86% of the respondents considered climate change to be a significant threat. There were clear differences between regions but also areas of consensus between stakeholders across the European regions surveyed. In particular there was consensus regarding the need for improved access to financial support and the need to ensure continuity of policy. The need to build investor confidence through demonstration of bio-based technologies, the provision of greater clarity regarding best conversion routes for specific feedstocks, and the need to promote a culture of industrial symbiosis were also regarded as important interventions

An introduction to STRIKE : STRuctured Interpretation of the Knowledge Environment

Knowledge forms a critical part of the income generation of the system and the complex environment in which actors participate in the creation of knowledge assets merits robust, eclectic consideration. STRIKE - STRuctured Interpretation of the Knowledge Environment affords an unobtrusive and systematic framework to observe, record, evaluate and articulate concrete and abstract elements of a setting, across internal and external dimensions. Inter-relationships between actor and environment are preserved. STRIKE is supported by underlying techniques to enrich data and enhance the authenticity of its representation. Adoption of photography and videography tools provides illustrative and interpretive benefits and facilitates researcher reflexivity. This structured approach to data analysis and evaluation mitigates criticisms of methodological rigour in observational research and affords standardisation potential, germane for application in a verification or longitudinal capacity. Advancing exploratory validation studies, the method is employed to evaluate the knowledge environments of two enterprises in the UK creative sector. These occupy a critical role in fostering entrepreneurial innovation alongside participant self-efficacy. Access Space in Sheffield and the Bristol Hackspace are committed to open software, open knowledge and open participation; sharing peer learning, creativity and socio-technical aims to address broadly similar community needs. Drawing on Wittgenstein’s Picture Theory of Meaning, the knowledge management perspective is abstracted from the STRIKE assessment. It is argued that the tiered analytical approach which considers a breadth of dimensions enhances representation and interpretation of the knowledge environment and presents a diagnostic and prescriptive capability to actualise change. The paper concludes by evaluating framework effectiveness, findings application and future direction

Learning the lessons from a regional industrial energy efficiency initiative

Industry accounts for 29% of UK energy use, placing energy efficiency in this sector as a fundamental to sustainable development. Given that 99% of UK industrial companies are Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) supportive initiatives in this area have the potential for significant savings and impact. This paper present a deep reflection of a local government project called “SUSTAIN Lincolnshire – Phase 2” to improve the energy efficiency of industrial SMEs within its region. A critical analysis will centre on the problems of co-ordinating and encouraging a large number of SME to become pro-active in this area. This starts with the importance of clearly defined and understood requirements, through engagement and activities with SME, to achievements attainable beyond the project. Currently, many Councils, leasing with universities, have numerous initiatives, similar in style to the project considered. The critical analysis in this paper will allow those project initiators and stakeholders to take advantage of the lessons learned when developing similar projects