I<scp>NDUSTRIAL</scp> S<scp>YMBIOSIS</scp>: Literature and Taxonomy

TLDR

Industrial symbiosis, a key component of industrial ecology, centers on the coordinated flow of materials, energy, water, and by‑products among traditionally separate industries, with collaboration and geographic proximity as essential drivers of competitive advantage. The paper reviews the nascent industrial symbiosis literature and early eco‑industrial park initiatives to illustrate concrete realizations of the concept. The review is organized around a taxonomy of five material‑exchange types, examining projects within this framework. Input‑output matching, stakeholder processes, and materials budgeting are useful tools for eco‑industrial park development, while evolutionary approaches foster the cooperation needed for multi‑party exchanges.

Abstract

▪ Abstract Industrial symbiosis, as part of the emerging field of industrial ecology, demands resolute attention to the flow of materials and energy through local and regional economies. Industrial symbiosis engages traditionally separate industries in a collective approach to competitive advantage involving physical exchange of materials, energy, water, and/or by-products. The keys to industrial symbiosis are collaboration and the synergistic possibilities offered by geographic proximity. This paper reviews the small industrial symbiosis literature and some antecedents, as well as early efforts to develop eco-industrial parks as concrete realizations of the industrial symbiosis concept. Review of the projects is organized around a taxonomy of five different material exchange types. Input-output matching, stakeholder processes, and materials budgeting appear to be useful tools in advancing eco-industrial park development. Evolutionary approaches to industrial symbosis are found to be important in creating the level of cooperation needed for multi-party exchanges.