The position of European countries regarding opportunities for Industrial Symbiosis: A comparative analysis employing multi-criteria decision-making tools
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Isidora Milošević
Almudena Muñoz Puche
Abstract
The Circular Economy is recognized as a significant model of sustainable
development that enables waste reduction, more efficient use of resources and climate
neutrality. Considering that the estimates indicate that the planet Earth's resources and
biodiversity are expiring, the European Union invests constant efforts to foster the transition
towards regenerative business models and create opportunities for consumption within the
planetary boundaries. Production industries are identified as particularly significant
resource consumers. Therefore, special attention is directed to the feasibility of collaborative
business models and the application of digital technologies to address resource depletion
and negative environmental impacts. The concept of the Circular Economy has become
crucial in global efforts to reduce the ecological footprint and transition to a green economy,
especially through the concept of Industrial Symbiosis. Through Industrial Symbiosis, companies from different sectors combine their waste and by-products, considering them as
raw materials, thus optimizing energy consumption, decreasing primary resource
consumption and reducing harmful gas emissions. Although the EU's efforts are evident and
clear targets have been established through the European Green Deal, it is essential to
monitor and analyze regional results for European countries to effectively develop their
potential, define strategies, and implement plans that transform material consumption and
environmental impact modalities. Therefore, understanding the material and value chains
and processes is crucial to reaching the potential and establishing adequate frameworks to
facilitate the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis. In this sense, this study aims to analyze
the potential of Industrial Symbiosis in EU countries. Multi-criteria decision-making tools
have been used for this purpose. The data used in the analysis were obtained from the
Eurostat database. The results highlight a significant divide between EU member states in
terms of opportunities and eagerness to implement Industrial Symbiosis. The results indicate
the need to focus attention on targeted policies to strengthen institutions and companies to
analyze the applicability of collaborative business models and integrate Industrial Symbiosis
at local, regional, and global levels.
development that enables waste reduction, more efficient use of resources and climate
neutrality. Considering that the estimates indicate that the planet Earth's resources and
biodiversity are expiring, the European Union invests constant efforts to foster the transition
towards regenerative business models and create opportunities for consumption within the
planetary boundaries. Production industries are identified as particularly significant
resource consumers. Therefore, special attention is directed to the feasibility of collaborative
business models and the application of digital technologies to address resource depletion
and negative environmental impacts. The concept of the Circular Economy has become
crucial in global efforts to reduce the ecological footprint and transition to a green economy,
especially through the concept of Industrial Symbiosis. Through Industrial Symbiosis, companies from different sectors combine their waste and by-products, considering them as
raw materials, thus optimizing energy consumption, decreasing primary resource
consumption and reducing harmful gas emissions. Although the EU's efforts are evident and
clear targets have been established through the European Green Deal, it is essential to
monitor and analyze regional results for European countries to effectively develop their
potential, define strategies, and implement plans that transform material consumption and
environmental impact modalities. Therefore, understanding the material and value chains
and processes is crucial to reaching the potential and establishing adequate frameworks to
facilitate the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis. In this sense, this study aims to analyze
the potential of Industrial Symbiosis in EU countries. Multi-criteria decision-making tools
have been used for this purpose. The data used in the analysis were obtained from the
Eurostat database. The results highlight a significant divide between EU member states in
terms of opportunities and eagerness to implement Industrial Symbiosis. The results indicate
the need to focus attention on targeted policies to strengthen institutions and companies to
analyze the applicability of collaborative business models and integrate Industrial Symbiosis
at local, regional, and global levels.
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