Industrial symbiosis refers to an association between industries where companies’ waste or side products turn into input materials for another company, creating economic gain for both [8]. The word “symbiosis” is usually associated with relationships in nature, where two or more species exchange materials, energy, or information in a mutually beneficial manner. In the case of industrial symbiosis, it is industrial players or companies, often from different sectors but located close-by or even in the same cluster or industrial park that form partnerships to exchange and revalue goods. In many cases, this includes public-private partnerships. In one example, industrial waste heat and CO2 from a sugar refinery were used to heat a greenhouse nearby and the CO2 was used to speed up tomato growing [6].
Local or wider co-operation in industrial symbiosis can reduce the need for virgin raw material and waste generation, thereby closing the material loop – a fundamental feature of the circular economy and a driver for green growth and eco-innovative solutions. It can also reduce emissions and energy use and create new revenue streams.
For example, Kalundborg Symbiosis is a partnership between 14 public and private companies in Denmark, which share excess energy, water and materials, and are connected via more than 20 different flows of resources. For example, the Kalundborg community waste material goes to Argo energy plant as fuel and the Kalundborg heat pump uses the wastewater from other industries in the area to generate heat [9].
Energy and material symbiosis
Eco-cement is produced from waste materials (steel production and other industrial slags). The new green concrete uses ceramic waste and slags from industry as raw materials. Rubber wood plastic composites are produced from used tyres and wood. The factories can also share energy flows; the waste heat from the process is used as space heating for offices and production halls.
Source: Energy symbiosis [FISSAC]
Energy symbiosis
The energy supply system in Rauhalahti, Finland is based on two key features. First, the system uses the CHP (combined heat and power) method for the production of heat (waste energy) and electricity. Second, industrial wastes from the local plywood mills, saw mills and forest cuttings are utilized as fuels. The power plant distributes electricity and heat through CHP to local households as well as to other buildings, services and industry. The residual energy from the power plant is used to fulfill the requirements for industrial steam in the local paper mill. The paper mill provides the local greenhouse horticultural centre Greenlandia with heat energy through hot returning water.
Source: Korhonen et al. (1999) [1]
MATURITY:
Example of a solution available on the market:
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In the city of Jyväskylä, the Rauhalahti power plant distributes electricity and heat through CHP to local households as well as to other buildings, services and in industry in Jyväskylä. This is typical for many regional energy supply systems in Finland. In addition to satisfying the district heat demand of households, the residual energy from the Rauhalahti power plant is used for industrial steam in the local paper mill. The paper mill provides the local greenhouse horticultural centre Greenlandia with heat energy through hot returning water [1].
As part of the FISSAC, a number of pre-industrial scale and real-scale demonstrations were conducted, for example:
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Pre-industrial production of Rubber Wood Plastic Composite produced by using tyre rubber, waste plastic and wood, both virgin or waste [11].
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New green concrete based on eco-cement created from raw materials received by steel, glass, aluminium and ceramic industries [12].
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Innovative Wood Plastic Composites manufactured using recycled wood and plastics as alternative polymers with improved characteristics and reduced carbon footprint. The demonstration activity deals with three different applications: decking, fencing and cladding [19].
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Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks (Building wall) produced by using ceramic waste, electric arc furnace slag and ladle furnace slag as secondary raw materials supplied by regional providers [10].
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