Industrial symbiosis toolkit
Planification
This step is all about the identification of benefits: analysis of resource flows, potential synergies, environmental, social, and financial benefits.
After analysing and prioritising activities, they are then realised into an agreement between participating parties.
2.1 Synergy identification
Stakeholders identify all possible synergies. The objective is to have a general idea and overview of which material streams and by products can be shared and with whom.
Funding is needed for mapping and analysing material and waste streams in the region to identify possible synergies.
How can public authorities and clusters help?
- Public authorities and clusters can be active in this step by carrying out an analysis of synergistic potentials (in their territory or among their members).
- They can provide funding for this purpose.
Tools
Tool | Objective | Developer | Link |
Circular value mapping - Circulytic |
Tool to identify additional, circular value from products and materials |
EllenMacArthur Foundation |
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Industrial Symbiosis Identification Tool |
Tool to identify industrial symbiosis options and to highlight possible industrial symbiosis between local companies |
UNIDO |
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Material flow analysis - FISSAC software platform |
LCA, LC costing, material and energy flow analyses, multi-objective optimization, visualization & diagrams, network analysis through industrial ecology metrics, graph and network topologies and industrial system modelling, innovative circular economy and industrial symbiosis indicator-based assessment |
FISSAC |
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Material Flow Cost Analysis (MFCA) |
Example for MFCA in an IS setting |
e.g., cttei; Universite LAVAL |
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Potential (re)uses of waste - Industrial Symbiosis tool |
Identification and characterisation of wastes, creation of a waste database to support the identification of potential (re)use of wastes |
MAESTRI - SPIRE |
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SWOT analysis |
Tool for analysing the most promising opportunities and constraints |
e.g., HUB-IN |
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Synergy creation - eSymbiosis Platform |
Platform that targets synergies between registered users of the site. Users provide profile and information about resources to sell/share; eSymbiosis generates a visual map by matching different actors who can trade/exchange resources. Case studies provide information on benefits/encourage wider implementation of synergies. |
CLMS UK |
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Value mapping - BeCircle |
Industrial and Territorial Ecology approach deploying innovative services for Circular Models in Industries (resource mapping, contribution to territory development strategy, optimization of territorial integration of a specific technology, collaborative process & co-built scenarios) |
Engie lab CRIGEN (with support from EIT KIC) |
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Value mapping - SymbioSyS tool |
Support collection of data and analysis, resource mapping and identification of synergies |
Universidad de cantabria |
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Value mapping - OVAM Symbiosis platform |
Platform to identify waste flows, platform for exchanging value streams |
OVAM |
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Value Mapping Tool |
Identifying values that are uncaptured, missed, destroyed |
Centre for Industrial Sustainability (CIS) of University of Cambridge |
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2.2 Prioritisation of opportunities
The identified potential synergies must be prioritised. This can be done by assessing 1. the resources that will be exchanged among stakeholders, 2. the monetary gains generated, as well as 3. the ecological and societal effects stemming from the synergies.
Funding is needed to assess the impacts of the synergies.
How can public authorities and clusters help?
- Public authorities can finance the assessment of the impact of (potential) IS activities on their territory.
- Clusters can help finding partners in their network who have the skills or resources to conduct this task.
Tools
Tool | Objective | Developer | Link |
Co2 calculator - ecocockpit |
Tool and trainings to calculate CO2 emissions |
efa+ |
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Efficiency Assessment tools |
Identify system efficiency, optimization of the use of energy/resources/process variables, prioritize options, LCA, cost assessment expected, KPI |
MAESTRI - SPIRE |
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Life Cycle Analysis |
Guide for a life cycle analysis |
e.g., EC, IES |
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Life Cycle Analysis - FISSAC software platform |
LCA, LC costing, material and energy flow analyses, multi-objective optimization, visualization & diagrams, network analysis through industrial ecology metrics, graph and network topologies and industrial system modelling, innovative circular economy and industrial symbiosis indicator-based assessment |
FISSAC |
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Life cycle and sustainability assessment software |
Open source Life Cycle Assessment software |
LCA |
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Potential value of circular business models - Value case tool |
To calculate high-level business case for circular business models |
SITRA |
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Synergy mapping - SYNERGie®4.0 |
Online resource and synergy mapping tool applied in an international context to record resources/make matches |
ISL |
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2.3 Operationalisation
After selecting the synergies to be implemented, the next sub-step involves concretising activities by defining milestones, choosing a coordinator from the facilitating organisation, removing any existing barriers such as contractual agreements, and validating the business model.
Funding may be needed if the synergy involves the integration of new high-risk technologies or processes that are outsourced or if companies are not used to implement benefit-sharing business models.
How can public authorities and clusters help?
- Public authorities can finance the assessment of the impact of (potential) IS activities on their territory.
- Clusters can help finding partners in their network who have the skills or resources to conduct this task.
Tools
Tool | Objective | Developer | Link |
Circular business model |
Template for creating a circular business model |
Reflow |
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Funding requirement analysis |
Tool to identify funding requirements |
SITRA |
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Project management tools |
Simple management tool for exploring IS |
e.g., EPOS |
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