Industrial symbiosis in circular economy

In Russian Federation the questions of transformation of the current linear model of economy into the low-carbon model having the least negative impact on the environment are very urgent. Among the ways to realize the required transition scientists recognize the introduction of the concept of circular economy, as well as the organization of a system of interaction between industrial enterprises on the basis of the principles of industrial symbiosis. The scope of application of the industrial symbiosis model in the circular economy remains insufficiently studied in the scientific environment, which actualizes its solution. There has been defined the hierarchy of conceptual and categorical apparatus of industrial symbiosis in the circular economy. Integration of the companies on the basis of using the model of industrial symbiosis takes place due to the combination of environmental and economic interests of its participants by forming the industrial value chain. Symbiotic links involve the rational use of resources, which leads to the less intensive production processes and, consequently, to the reduced carbon emissions. Obtaining a synergistic effect is an incentive that encourages industrial structures to form symbiotic links. There has been stated the growth of transaction costs, which can be designated as a negative effect of the industrial symbiosis model. The directions for reducing this influence are proposed: improving the pricing model for industrial waste, taking into account territorial proximity and the need for industry associations and unions to participate in finding partners. The concept of industrial symbiosis is considered and clarified, which includes the principles, purpose and effects to characterize this term. The conclusion about the role of industrial symbiosis in the circular economy has been made.

Implementation of Eco-Industrial Park for Effectual Establishment of Circular Economy in Russia

In recent years, waste management has become a major concern in Russian cities. This can be addressed through the circular economy. Developing Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) can be considered an innovative infrastructure of a circular economy. EIP is based upon the principles of industrial symbiosis involving the exchange of material and energy flows, sharing of infrastructural facilities, and provision of municipal utility and other services. Researchers have found that most industrial symbiotic interconnections originated spontaneously, the main driver being the increasing commercial benefits of such interchange. Still, the authors were able to identify pre-designed EIP through their examination of global practices. This paper proposes a five-stage methodological approach to EIP organization. This methodology was applied to create a model of an EIP in the Voronezh Region, one of the fastest developing regions in Russia. Implementation of this model is intended to help solve a set of environmental, economic, and social problems of a region. The approach to creating EIPs described in this study can be used in other places to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste disposal. Because Russia’s garbage disposal rate currently exceeds 90% per year, this is one of the country’s top sustainable development priorities.

Hubs for Circularity: Geo-Based Industrial Clustering towards Urban Symbiosis in Europe

Since the Green Deal, ambitious climate and resource neutrality goals have been set in Europe. Here, process industries hold a unique position due to their energy and material transformation capabilities. They are encouraged to develop cross-sectorial hubs for achieving not only climate ambition, but also joining a circular economy through urban–industrial symbiosis with both business and community stakeholders. This research proposes a data-based approach to identify potential hub locations by means of cluster analysis. A total of three different algorithms are compared on a set of location and pollution data of European industrial facilities: K-means, hierarchical agglomerative and density-based spatial clustering. The DBSCAN algorithm gave the best indication of potential locations for hubs because of its capacity to tune the main parameters. It evidenced that predominately west European countries have a high potential for identifying hubs for circularity (H4Cs) due to their industrial density. In Eastern Europe, the industrial landscape is more scattered, suggesting that additional incentives might be needed to develop H4Cs. Furthermore, industrial activities such as the production of aluminium, cement, lime, plaster, or electricity are observed to have a relatively lower tendency to cluster compared with the petrochemical sector. Finally, further lines of research to identify and develop industrial H4Cs are suggested.

Tracing Relationship between Cluster’s Performance and Transition to the Circular Economy

Clusters are defined as geographically close groups of organizations that work together to gain a competitive advantage. Clusters’ shared activities involve knowledge sharing, a common pool of resources, innovations, and cooperation. From a more advanced perspective, clusters can work in industrial symbiosis sharing resources, energy, water, and other products. Tendencies of recent research indicate the growing interest in shifting to an efficient use of resources and sustainable development through the circular economy (CE). Clusters can work as enablers of CE to achieve a competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to trace the relationships between cluster performance and shifting to the CE indicators. Correlation analysis was used as a method to indicate the relationships between pairs of clusters’ performance and shifting to the CE indicators. The limitations of the research refer to the selection of the indicators as both concepts gain insights, although still debatable. The results show that 16 out of 25 cluster performance indicators were identified that have strong or moderate relationships among pairs while shifting to the CE indicators. These indicators are recommended to be included in observation, benchmarking, or evaluation of the clusters’ activities. They can be significant in monitoring the development of shifting to the CE or in combinations with other research areas.

INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS AS A FACTOR OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY

The article has been devoted to solving the problems of sustainable development of the city in the socio-ecological and economic aspect considering the influence of the factor of industrial symbiosis. The characteristics of industrial symbiosis have been generalized and its role in solving the problems of industrial recycling, industrial ecology and sustainable development of the territory has been determined. The European experience of using the advantages of industrial symbiosis in the creation and development of eco-industrial parks has been analyzed. The institutional-legal and organizational-technological approaches to the use of the European experience of creating eco-industrial parks in Ukraine have been considered. The institutional and legal approach presupposes the legislative consolidation of the ecological component in the formation of industrial parks in Ukraine. The organizational and technological approach allows organizing an industrial symbiosis for the city's enterprises that produce, process and use industrial waste, like an eco-industrial park. As a result, local resources are saved, new jobs are created, and the environmental situation is improved. It is especially true for cities in which there is a critical situation with the processing of industrial waste and a high level of technogenic load is observed. Proposals have been developed for organizing industrial symbiosis between the city's enterprises as an eco-industrial park for the management of metallurgical waste - blast furnace slags. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure cooperation between producers (metallurgical enterprises), processors (enterprises of building materials) and consumers (enterprises of road facilities and urban construction enterprises), stimulation of entrepreneurship in the field of industrial waste processing, and the use of public-private partnership mechanisms. Cooperation depends on the consistency of production planning between metallurgical enterprises and related waste processing enterprises. Therefore, it is advisable to form a coordination center and use computer information resource management systems. Stimulating entrepreneurship in the field of services for the processing of industrial waste involves the establishment of benefits and preferences by local governments within the framework of their powers. When using the mechanisms of public-private partnership of enterprises within the framework of industrial symbiosis, it is necessary to ensure the optimal distribution of risks between the public and private partners, which should be the subject of further research.