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Industrial symbiosis

HUB

Relevance

Industrial symbiosis promotes cooperation between different industries with the aim to increase efficiency and sustainability. A key element is the use of waste heat from one industrial operation to heat other facilities. This reduces the need for new, carbon-intensive raw materials and simultaneously lowers direct and indirect CO₂ emissions from production and transportation.

The use of waste heat as part of industrial symbiosis not only promotes energy efficiency but also offers economic benefits by reducing the costs of energy and waste management. Furthermore, it supports the transition to a circular economy model of maximising resource utilisation. These practices make industrial symbiosis a key tool in transforming industry and achieving climate goals.

Target group

all sectors

Topic focus

Potential areas of focus include:

Inter-company use of waste heat from production processes or integration into a local or district heating network
Establishment of energy communities: for example, between neighbouring industrial plants for energy exchange and demand-driven energy distribution
Creation of networks and partnerships for optimal material cycles and resource efficiency

New business models for shared infrastructure and resource use