Industrial symbiosis for sustainable industrial cooperation and local attractiveness and resilience

Important results from the project

The aim was to strengthen the municipalities´ power to facilitate symbiosis processes. The goal was "a clear picture of obstacles and opportunities and measures for facilitated industrial symbiosis by municipals, to increase attractiveness and resilience in industrial clusters and business parks". A review of obstacles and opportunities in the literature and through interviews was made. Based on these, we have formed recommendations for measures to increase the possibilities for IUS. We have also developed advice for municipalities that want to work with facilitation of IUS.

Expected long term effects

Important factors for municipalities to succeed are commitment and ability to lead the process, good coordination, knowledge of the local companies´ driving forces and the ability to form a link to actors in the support system and academia. Recommendations to policymakers include, among other things, to examine what role municipal companies should have, as well as develop guidelines for how to support municipalities in very large cross-sector establishments. We expect the advice to be taken up by, for example, SKR and in turn strengthen the municipalities in their work with IUS.

Approach and implementation

Through literature studies and interviews, we have collected data about obstacles and opportunities for IUS in general and for municipalities´ ability to facilitate in particular. Within the project, we have carried out a case study in Lidkoping municipality. We have also carried out three workshops and had multiple discussions with a reference group with broad representation from governance and policy making bodies. Analysis of all material has resulted in recommendations aimed at policy makers for IUS as well as advice for municipalities that want to facilitate IUS.