Nestled in the fertile Küçük Menderes Basin, the Tire Industrial Park (TOSBİ) in Türkiye has emerged as a national pioneer in Industrial Symbiosis (IS). Located in the Tire district of İzmir, a region that contributes 9% of the country’s raw milk production, TOSBİ has transformed environmental challenges into an economic and ecological opportunity. Through collaboration, innovation and a firm commitment to sustainability, the region’s dairy sector is now a shining example of how industrial ecosystems can thrive through symbiotic partnerships.
With no prior feasibility study, but a deep-rooted motivation to preserve the region’s resources and agricultural productivity, TOSBİ embraced Industrial Symbiosis as a pathway to both regulatory compliance and long-term sustainability. The first initiative focused on managing wastewater generated during dairy and milk production processes. This symbiosis effort—spearheaded by leading company SÜTAŞ A.Ş.—was the first of its kind in the region and remains a standout example of how shared environmental challenges can unite industries toward a common goal.
Several key factors motivated the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis. Most notably, stricter environmental discharge regulations significantly impacted dairy factories, which typically produce wastewater with chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels at least five times higher than other industries. Meeting these standards without raising operational costs became increasingly difficult, threatening the competitiveness and viability of local dairy businesses.
In parallel, there was growing concern over the ecological impact of wastewater and whey waste on local agriculture, particularly crops like barley, wheat, and silage—essential components of feed for livestock farming. Preventing contamination of this agricultural base was imperative not only for environmental protection but also for preserving the region’s food supply chain and its socio-economic fabric.
The IS system implemented in Tire Industrial Park is a coordinated effort involving 11 production facilities. These include 10 dairy processing plants, 4 animal feed factories, a whey powder production unit, a centralized wastewater treatment facility and an energy production plant that uses organic waste as a raw material. All the infrastructure was funded through private equity investments by the participating companies, each contributing based on their capacity and needs.
One of the primary challenges faced was the absence of an initial feasibility study, which might have streamlined the implementation process and helped anticipate operational hurdles. Another crucial insight was the importance of placing processing facilities close to the sources of raw materials. Long transportation distances can inflate costs and dilute the environmental gains of symbiotic practices.
Looking ahead, the potential of Industrial Symbiosis in Türkiye and in other EU and non-EU regions is vast. The success of Tire Industrial Park demonstrates that symbiosis can and should be scaled to other manufacturing sectors and regions. There is an urgent need to establish new production facilities that can utilize by-products generated from core industrial processes, unlocking new revenue streams, enhancing environmental compliance, and bolstering economic resilience.
