Search Results (49)

Sustainable development initiatives are essential for enhancing the social economy and environmental preservation in marginalised rural areas of Tanzania. This study examines the impact of an IoT micro-factory on sustainable development, addressing issues such as inadequate production techniques, agribusiness monopolisation practices, the shortage of small-scale factories, and the failure to leverage global market comparative advantages. It explores the mediating role of architectural innovation and the moderating role of industrial symbiosis. The study surveyed 196 participants, including 100 orange farmers, 96 industrial engineers in the beverage sector, and conducted interviews with 3 industrial managers and 3 industrial consultants. SmartPLS 4 was used to evaluate the relationships between constructs. The results indicate that both IoT micro-factories and global production networks (GPNs) have a direct influence on sustainable social-economic development. Architectural innovation mediates these relationships, while industrial symbiotic moderates the interaction between IoT micro-factories and architectural innovation. The findings emphasise the importance of IoT micro-factories for sustainable development, with industrial symbiotic relationships addressing gaps in knowledge, skills, and equitable trade. The industrial stakeholders should prioritise IoT micro-factories as small-scale factories to promote sustainable development in rural communities of developing countries. Full article

Industrial symbiosis (IS) involves transferring waste materials and/or energy flows between stakeholders to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The success of these transactions depends on supply–demand matching, technical feasibility of waste integration into industrial processes, economic savings, and compliance with legal and environmental regulations. This paper presents a methodology for the technoeconomic assessment of IS projects, integrating material flow cost accounting (MFCA) and cost–benefit analysis (CBA) incorporating CAPEX and OPEX considerations. MFCA, traditionally used to identify hidden costs from inefficiencies, is adapted here to assess resource utilisation across industry networks. The methodology is applied to two real-world demo cases: a novel fertiliser production process in Escombreras (Spain), where IS focuses on process optimisation and by-product valorisation, and an IS process design in Frövi (Sweden), where CO₂ and residual energy flows are exchanged between industrial sectors. The results demonstrate the potential of MFCA-CBA integration to enhance decision making in IS implementation. In Spain, process optimisation led to a 50% reduction in operating costs, whereas, in Sweden, CO₂ reutilisation resulted in a 30% increase in resource efficiency. These findings highlight the economic and environmental benefits of IS and provide insights into cost allocation and pricing strategies. Full article

In industrial symbiotic networks, the waste from one operation becomes the raw material or fuel for another, addressing concerns about municipal solid waste management. The purpose of this article is to draw lessons from previous experiences that can benefit future implementations of industrial symbiosis (IS). A comprehensive literature review identified 23 challenges and 20 opportunities, which were classified into four categories: technical, economic, legal/regulatory, and social. From the challenges and opportunities, and relying on previous case studies, the article yields 13 actionable lessons designed to assist stakeholders, investors, managers, and practitioners in the successful implementation of IS networks. IS embraces three dimensions: political, technological, and social, which enable insights for promoting collaborations and formulating incentive policies, which pave the way for future research and practical applications. The primary implication of this article is the establishment of a framework aimed at enhancing the sustainability and resilience of future implementations within industrial ecosystems. The main impact of the lessons is that practitioners and stakeholders can now build a roadmap to future implementations of industrial symbiotic networks. Full article

With respect to peak carbon and carbon neutrality, China’s economic structure is developing towards low carbonization, circulation, and cleanliness. There is an urgent need to expand the scope of cleaner production audits, improve cleaner production efficiency, and promote cleaner production through regional coordination. The 14th Five-Year National Cleaner Production Implementation Plan proposed selecting 100 parks or industrial clusters to conduct an overall cleaner production audit innovation pilot. To promote the coordinated development of cleaner production areas, this study constructed a set of cleaner production index systems for industrial parks, established an evaluation model based on the binary semantic evaluation method, and selected an industrial park in central China as an audit pilot. The binary group ${\mathsf{\theta }}_1=(2, -0.1084)$ of the rating results was determined to be a cleaner production park. Based on the evaluation results, the clean production potential of the park was analyzed, and suggestions for clean production were put forward. Sixteen representative enterprises in the park were selected to build twenty-one ecological chains, providing reasonable suggestions for constructing a systematic and circular enterprise symbiosis network. Full article

A surging demand for sustainable energy and the urgency to lower greenhouse gas emissions is driving industrial systems towards more eco-friendly and cost-effective models. Biogas from agricultural and municipal organic waste is gaining momentum as a renewable energy source. Concurrently, the European Hydrogen Strategy focuses on green hydrogen for decarbonising the industrial and transportation sectors. This paper presents a multi-objective network design model for urban–industrial symbiosis, incorporating anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, photovoltaic, and hydrogen production technologies. Additionally, a Bayesian best-worst method is used to evaluate the weights of the sustainability aspects by decision-makers, integrating these into the mathematical model. The model optimises industrial plant locations considering economic, environmental, and social parameters, including the net present value, energy consumption, and carbon footprint. The model’s functionalities are demonstrated through a real-world case study based in Emilia Romagna, Italy. It is subject to sensitivity analysis to evaluate how changes in the inputs affect the outcomes and highlights feasible trade-offs through the exploration of the $ϵ$-constraint. The findings demonstrate that the model substantially boosts energy and hydrogen production. It is not only economically viable but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with fossil fuels and landfilling. Additionally, it contributes to job creation. This research has significant implications, with potential future studies intended to focus on system resilience, plant location optimisation, and sustainability assessment. Full article

The challenges related to natural resource depletion and environmental issues stimulate businesses to look for solutions to overcome them. One of the leading strategies that have emerged from the practical implementation of the circular economy concept is industrial symbiosis, which aims to reduce material extraction and consumption by using the waste (co-product) of one company as input for production processes of another company. This study aims to provide a more profound insight into industrial symbiosis (IS) modeling by considering the transport system impact. To this end, a hybrid approach based on agent-based modeling and system dynamics is presented to comprehensively capture the complexity of interactions between companies and their related impacts on transportation. A case study and numerical example are discussed to validate the proposed approach and related model. The results demonstrate that the development of IS, as expected, is significantly influenced by the transport system. Full article

Building zero-waste cities is an important initiative. It helps China to meet the challenges of climate change, build an ecological civilization, and build a beautiful and high-quality China. Through the recycling and safe disposal of waste, the ultimate goal of the construction of zero-waste cities is to minimize the amount of solid waste. Municipal Solid Waste Resource Symbiosis Network (MSWRSN) is the best way to achieve zero-waste cities. However, this system is vulnerable to many factors. These factors will restrict the construction and development of zero-waste cities. This study proposes a vulnerability measurement method of MSWRSN based on energy exchange. Panjin, a city in Liaoning Province, is used as an example to simulate it. The vulnerability measurement method of MSWRSN is composed of three parts. First, the study adopts a directional weighting approach to design the topologic structure of MSWRSN. Second, Dijkstra’s algorithm is used to analyze two topological parameters, node mesonumber and edge mesonumber. It also focuses on single-node failure mode and edge failure mode. Finally, the study uses a functional measure function to calculate the vulnerability of each node and each edge in symbiotic networks. The results of the study show that (1) MSWRSN in Panjin has not yet formed a nested pattern. The symbiotic patterns of different industrial chains are also different. (2) Node failure has a greater impact on MSWRSN. (3) There are differences in the vulnerability of the industry chain in the network. Based on the findings of the study, this study advises managing the vulnerability of MSWRSN from the following aspects. It includes increasing the diversity of symbiotic units, promoting the development of symbiotic networks to nested types, and strengthening risk monitoring and management of core enterprises. Full article

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has obtained worldwide concern as a new initiative for achieving collaborative benefits through the exchange of resources including water among industries. Even though these initiatives became prominent as successful projects in the early stages, many of them have resulted in failures in the long term due to the absence of the prior evaluation and optimisation of identified water synergies in IS planning. Further, the main attention has been given to achieving cost reductions in individual plants rather than analysing the environmental benefits of IS networks that can be achieved through the maximum recovery of wastewater. The existing evaluation emphasises the need to have a standardised way to assess the optimum water flow of IS. Thus, the purpose is to conceptualise a model to assess the optimum water flow of IS based on secondary data analysis. A desk study and a detailed literature review were selected as suitable methods for reviewing the existing literature relating to water exchange in IS networks, water input and output flow, and optimisation methodologies. As the key findings derived through analysis, water inputs and outputs, a boundary for the selection of industrial entities, typical water synergies, and optimisation formulas were established. Finally, a conceptual model was developed to assess the optimum water flow of IS, which was evaluated through expert interviews to identify further improvements. The developed model forms a unique foundation for assessing the optimum water flow of IS, applying in any context subject to context-specific enhancements. Most importantly, the novelty can be highlighted as the consideration given to maximum wastewater recovery in achieving the reduction in the freshwater utilisation of industrial entities within the IS network. Nevertheless, this conceptual model is still at its early development stage, and it is subjected to more empirical testing and research for its practicality and further refinement as a way forward for the research. Full article

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) involves a network of organizations that exchange energy, materials, and by-products to lower production costs, reduce environmental impact, and conserve natural resources. Despite over two decades of extensive research into IS, its benefits are well known, but implementation remains challenging. This paper proposes utilizing blockchain technology (BCT) to digitize IS, making it more secure and transparent. First, drivers and barriers of BCT implementation in IS are identified. A smart contract architecture framework using Hyperledger Fabric is then proposed using the constructed theoretical background and abductive method. Finally, the paper discusses how this framework supports the implementation of BCT in IS by addressing its drivers and attempting to overcome its barriers. It is a resource for those seeking a comprehensive grasp of the foundational elements necessary for constructing a successful IS blockchain design, which is adaptable to all types of IS network configurations. Full article

This paper aims to analyze organisations’ behaviour in the Industrial Symbiosis implementation process in the Circular Economy Pilot Project, in Brazil from the actors’ perception. We conducted an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach to attain the research objective. The data collection involved in depth interviews with eighteen actors. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. The study results in show a still incipient industrial symbiosis network, with few connections between industrial actors, based on bilateral exchanges of materials, water and energy. From the analysis, it was possible to identify the elements that influence the behaviour of organisations. When it comes to exogenous elements, it is clear that laws and sanctions are the ones that most determine organisational action. However, this pressure is still focused on the traditional and unidirectional model of production processes. Economic viability was identified as a primary factor for the objective elements of organisational action. Regarding the subjective elements, it was found that there was already an interaction before the project between some companies, especially those from automotive sector. With the project’s initiative, this social interaction was intensified, including between companies from different sectors. Regarding the barriers, we found the absence of governmental actions, unavailability of time and involvement of the managers to fully participate in the project, high cost of waste disposal versus the cost of investment and, discontinuity of actions. Overall, the study indicates that the project increased the institutional capacity of the region to develop industrial symbiosis, as it advanced in sharing new knowledge, promoted more significant interaction between organisations and identified business opportunities for companies. However, it appears that the project’s continuity will be conditioned to improve some aspects of the governance structure, regulatory framework and collective engagement. These results can be helpful for researchers studying this topic and managers in Brazil and other emerging countries in Latin America, as well as, policymakers involved in public policies aimed to enable the transition to a circular e more sustainable model. Full article

Despite the powerful potentials of digital twins as regards achieving sustainable operations and supply chain management, there is currently very little research on using digital twins for industrial symbiosis, and even less research investigating user needs. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct sufficient research on the market and user needs before setting the framework of digital twins for industrial symbiosis. We interviewed six companies in the Norwegian wood industry that could potentially share one symbiosis network. Based on the interviews, we analyzed the needs of potential digital twins for industrial symbiosis, aiming to understand the user’s point of view on digital twins for industrial symbiosis. The research is expected to provide intellectual support for future digital twins’ design from the user perspective. This paper not only promotes the design of digital twins for industrial symbiosis from the user perspective, but also provides an analytical framework for the user perspective analysis before the development of digital twins-based supply chain collaboration in the industrial symbiosis network. Full article

Industrial symbiosis (IS) involves networks of organizations collaborating through flow exchanges. Scientific research has shown that such systems are able to provide benefits at the environmental level. Structural organization and stability were also studied, as they are linked to resilience (maintenance of activity over time), especially with ecological network analysis (ENA), which considers several dimensions in the assessment of a network organization. Studies combining ENA and environmental assessment are lacking in the literature; therefore, the links between the two dimensions are not well documented. The intention of this study was to fill this gap by analyzing structural and environmental performance simultaneously using ENA and a life-cycle-analysis-based approach focusing on the structural topology of IS. The results show that the two dimensions do not strictly influence each other. Structural performance was found to vary depending on the network structure topology, whereas environmental performance was influenced by the network complexity. To ensure the continuation of IS benefits, the two dimensions should be considered in the decision-making process in IS planification, even if they are independent evaluation criteria. Tradeoffs should be based on IS development possibilities and territorial needs. Full article

Global responses to climate change have accomplished certain reductions in carbon emissions. However, current efforts are insufficient for reaching the worldwide objective of carbon neutralization. Industrial parks that integrate industrial and economic resources are priority entities concerning the achievement of national carbon mitigation. The implementation of carbon neutralization at an industrial park level is unclear. This paper used a bibliometric approach to analyze articles related to carbon emissions reduction in industrial parks. From 2001 to 2022, 114 publications were collected from the WoS database. Descriptive statistical analysis, network analysis, keyword co-occurrence network analysis, keyword clustering, co-citation analysis, and burst detection were employed to summarize the research hotspots and evolution trends in this field. The results showed that the research hotspots were energy management, industrial symbiosis, economics and development, and carbon emission assessments in industrial parks. Emerging trends are the management of integrated energy systems, circular economy, renewable energy, economic analysis, and the validation of various models. Based on these analyses, four challenges and prospects were proposed for the construction of zero-carbon industrial parks. Finally, this paper presents a systematic guidance framework for carbon neutralization in industrial parks, which provides important references for future theoretical and practical research on industrial parks. Full article

There is a growing concern regarding the scarcity of natural resources. The levels of resource exploitation generated by the current system of production and consumption has led the European Commission to develop a set of guidelines that aim to reduce the pressure on natural resources. The set of guidelines proposed by the European Union is based on the transformation of the current linear economic system into a circular system in which resources and materials remain in the production system for longer. However, for this change to take effect, practical measures are required. This paper presents an industrial symbiosis approach as a practical application of a circular economy model. The aim of this paper is to develop a guide to successfully implement an industrial symbiosis network, demonstrating that industrial symbiosis can achieve the goals of a circular economy. To demonstrate this, an example of its implementation is provided in a region of Spain, which is responsible for producing approximately 95% of the total ceramics products in the nation. This study emphasises the set of barriers that need to be addressed in order to make new models a reality for business and consumers, society, and the environment. Full article

Industrialization is indispensable for socio-economic development but poses far-reaching implications for resources and the environment. Consequently, industrial symbiosis-based collaborations are gaining recognition as a viable strategy to manage resource consumption for mitigating environmental distress. However, these types of synergistic collaborations are more prevalent in developed regions and are linked to larger-sized industries. Admittedly, such collaborative partnerships are less focused in developing regions and small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs). This calls for discovering the potentials for synergistic partnerships among the small and medium scaled industrial entities in developing economies. Therefore, the study was designed to identify, assess and explore the prospects of symbiotic collaborations among SMEs in Pakistan. Moreover, the inputs are equally relevant for developing and expanding such productive associations in developing regions. Data regarding inputs and outputs was collected from sixty-one (61) SMEs through field survey during the year 2019. It was processed and analyzed to uncover existing and potential synergies among SMEs. The significant findings transpired that the majority of collaborative linkages are bilateral and are driven to maximize economic gains. However, informal networks of recyclers and absence of a stringent regulatory regime are the ground realities in developing/transforming economies. These factors symptomatically interfere with the process of formal/informal exchanges between and among firms. Furthermore, it was observed that the lack of awareness and impulsiveness of SMEs, as well as the inconsistent supply of by-products, act as barriers for such partnerships in developing countries. It calls for proactive engagements and facilitations from the state institutions through policy instruments. The study addresses a broad audience including industrialists, investors, policy makers and researchers engaged in IS studies. Moreover, the inputs will provide impetus for stimulating eco-industrial progress in developing regions such as Pakistan. Full article