In today’s rapidly evolving world, industrial symbiosis (IS) is not just a buzzword but a necessity for achieving sustainable economic growth. On 24 September, the INSET working group joined an enlightening webinar hosted by VELTA IVZW – an international research center – and the EURADA – European Association of Development Agencies, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss different approaches to involve industrial/private and regional/public stakeholders including citizens in IS initiatives. This special session, part of the LOOPS 3.0 series, offered a wealth of insights into how Europe is fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to advance circular economy practices.
Featuring a lineup of Horizon project presentations—Circular Foam, EFFICIENT, H4C Europe, Agro2Circular, and Friendship—the event showcased innovative strategies for integrating IS across sectors and regions. Each project demonstrated unique methods of transforming waste into resources and emphasized community involvement and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Circular Foam aimed at creating territorial circular ecosystems for end-of-life polyurethane foams, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation. The project involved regional clusters in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland to develop roadmaps for recycling technologies. Emphasis was placed on engaging local stakeholders to establish a socio-technical ecosystem capable of transforming regional waste into valuable resources, thus setting the groundwork for replicable models across Europe.
Meanwhile, the EFFICIENT project presented its unique approach to fostering industrial symbiosis by establishing a network of stakeholders within the fish industry in the Lombardy region of Italy. This project aims to eliminate waste from fish production through a multi-level, integrated cluster model. The approach demonstrated significant potential for developing new value chains, converting by-products into bio-products, and highlighted its ambition to replicate these models beyond Europe, particularly in Kenya.
The H4C Europe emphasized creating a robust community of practice for circularity by connecting regional industrial symbiosis initiatives. By building a knowledge-sharing platform and a KPI toolkit, it provides regions with the tools necessary to measure and enhance their circular economy initiatives. The project underscored the necessity of stakeholder engagement in building trust and facilitating collaboration among industries, academia, and local governments.
Focusing on the agri-food sector, Agro2Circular has implemented cutting-edge recycling techniques Murcia, Spain. By developing innovative methods for recycling agri-food waste into new products like bioplastics and cosmetics, the project highlighted the importance of public participation. Through educational campaigns and local market initiatives, Agro2Circular engaged the community to support circular economy models, demonstrating a successful blend of technology and public awareness.
Lastly, the Friendship project centered on promoting a green and just transition for Central Poland by addressing waste management issues in wood, organic waste, and plastic sectors. The initiative involved local NGOs and citizens directly in the circular economy processes, advocating for supportive actions from both local authorities and industries. It emphasized that sustainable changes in consumer behavior are essential for achieving long-term environmental goals.
Across all presentations, a common theme resonated: stakeholder engagement is the linchpin of IS success. Building trust and breaking down regulatory barriers are crucial as these projects scale and adapt across regions.
The activities promoted by the webinar exemplify how European-funded projects can pave the way towards a circular economy through industrial symbiosis. By fostering collaborations and creating replicable models, these initiatives highlight the strategic importance of integrating various stakeholders into the process, thereby accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices in regional and international contexts.
The Erasmus + KA2 project INSET, like the projects presented in this special edition of LOOP webinar series, demonstrates how European collaboration is laying the foundations for widespread adoption of industrial symbiosis. By uniting different actors under a common vision, these initiatives are paving the way for a greener, more competitive and interconnected continent.
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Photo Credits Tom Fisk
