Industrial symbiosis is one of the most effective strategies for developing a circular and resource-efficient economy. The concept is based on collaboration between industrial sectors, involving the mutual use of each other’s products and resources. Through this approach, materials that would otherwise become waste can be transformed into valuable inputs for new production processes. According to the European Committee for Standardization, “industrial symbiosis refers to the utilization by one company or sector of underused resources from another company or sector. These resources include waste, by-products, residual materials and raw materials, as well as equipment, energy, water, logistics, capacity, and expertise. As a result, resources are used more productively over a longer period of time.”

Essentially, industrial symbiosis represents the imitation of natural ecosystems, where nothing is wasted and every output becomes a resource for another process. Within industrial symbiosis, participating companies exchange materials, energy, water, or services, generating benefits for both the environment and the economy. This approach contributes to reducing the consumption of raw materials, preventing waste generation, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing business competitiveness through cost savings and innovation. Furthermore, it effectively decreases the disposal of waste in landfills and the need for incineration, while supporting the closure of resource loops and increasing the value of waste within the value chain.

The primary driving force behind industrial symbiosis is economic benefit, achieved through mutually beneficial collaboration that helps reduce costs and risks, increase revenues, and address business challenges. Organizations engage in industrial symbiosis when clear financial and economic advantages are evident, as demonstrated by practices across various countries. At the same time, growing interest in sustainability and resource security, together with the corporate social responsibility agenda, further strengthens business engagement in such initiatives.

Test your knowledge. Answer the questions and learn more about industrial symbiosis.

What do you know about Industrial Symbiosis?

1 / 10

Which of the following definitions describes the essence of industrial symbiosis?

Industrial symbiosis is a business strategy that involves bringing companies together to create a shared logistics network in order to reduce transportation costs and accelerate product delivery.

Industrial symbiosis is a model analogous to natural ecosystems, where different enterprises collaborate by exchanging resources (materials, energy, water, waste) so that the waste of one company becomes raw material for another.

Industrial symbiosis is a production model focused on the complete modernization of production lines, involving the replacement of old technologies with energy-efficient equipment to reduce environmental impact.

2 / 10

Which of the following practices are the principles of industrial symbiosis focused on?

On resource sharing, the reuse of waste, and energy efficiency through close collaboration between companies, aiming to minimize production waste and achieve mutual economic benefits.

On the optimization of internal production processes, focusing solely on recycling waste within a company, implementing individual technologies, and reducing dependence on external partners to minimize resource exchange with other industrial entities.

On accelerating the production cycle and perfecting the linear economy model, focusing on intensive extraction of new raw materials, mass production of goods, and the safe disposal of generated waste in landfills.

3 / 10

Where and when was the first practical model of industrial symbiosis established, and what is it called?

In the 1950s, in the United Kingdom, which became known in history as the “Manchester Eco-Industrial Network” and represented an integrated system of textile and coal industries.

In the 1960s, in Denmark, which is known as the “Kalundborg Symbiosis” and represents a successful example of resource sharing among companies of different profiles.

In the 1970s, in the United States, which is known as the “Pennsylvania Industrial Cluster” and represented a shared energy-efficient network of heavy industry facilities.

4 / 10

For efficient resource management and the promotion of a circular economy, in which regions of Georgia have “industrial symbiosis networks” been established?

In the regions of Imereti and Samegrelo.

In the regions of Kakheti and Adjara.

In the regions of Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti.

5 / 10

In addition to environmental responsibility and reduced consumption of natural resources, what is the main economic benefit for businesses from participating in an industrial symbiosis network?

Joining the network allows companies to be fully exempt from profit and value-added taxes, providing them with financial stability.

The enterprise significantly reduces operational costs related to waste management and gains additional financial benefits by supplying its own waste as secondary raw material to other companies.

Companies participating in an industrial symbiosis network are required to forgo selling their waste and to process it solely with their own resources, which increases costs and reduces financial profit.

6 / 10

In the Swedish city of Helsingborg, three organizations from different sectors collaborate: Kemira Kemi (a chemical plant producing sulfuric acid), NSR (a waste management company), and Öresundskraft (an energy company). The chemical production process generates excess heat, while waste recycling produces biogas. The energy company collects and uses these resources to heat the city’s hospital and residential buildings.

Why is this collaboration considered one of the most efficient and exemplary cases of industrial symbiosis, especially in terms of maximizing resource use and circular energy distribution?

Each company independently reduces its own costs and does not require collaboration with other organizations.

The main purpose of the collaboration is only to collect and transport waste, without reusing the energy.

Companies from different sectors efficiently use each other’s waste resources and convert them into useful energy.

7 / 10

How does industrial symbiosis promote efficient resource use within the framework of a circular economy?

By transforming one company’s waste or by-product into raw material for another company, significantly reducing the need for primary resource extraction.

Through full automation of production processes and the implementation of digital technologies, eliminating the need for human labor and significantly increasing production efficiency.

By increasing the exploitation of primary natural resources so that companies can expand production scales and manufacture products in large quantities.

8 / 10

Which of the following statements is correct regarding an industrial symbiosis network?

In an industrial network, companies operate completely independently from one another and do not share resources or information.

In an industrial network, the waste of one company serves as a resource for another company.

In an industrial network, companies focus solely on the use of primary raw materials, while waste is regarded as useless output to be immediately disposed of.

9 / 10

What is the main difference between urban and industrial symbiosis?

Urban symbiosis focuses solely on the integration of renewable energy sources, whereas industrial symbiosis is limited to optimizing industrial waste streams.

Industrial symbiosis requires high-tech equipment to process resources, whereas urban symbiosis involves only sorting household waste and safely disposing of it in landfills.

Industrial symbiosis represents a closed-loop of resources between private companies, whereas urban symbiosis is a broader, multi-sector model that establishes mutually beneficial connections between municipal services (water, waste, energy, transport) and industrial entities.

10 / 10

Imagine you own a furniture workshop where large amounts of sawdust accumulate daily. According to the principles of industrial symbiosis, which of the following solutions would be the most effective for the sustainability of your business?

Disposing of the sawdust in a specialized landfill and paying the associated fees for its disposal.

Partnering with a local agro-farm that can use the sawdust as animal bedding or for mulching/fertilizing soil.

Open burning of the sawdust on the workshop premises solely to free up space, without recovering any energy.

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This quiz was prepared with the support of the European Union, as part of the CIRCOLUTION campaign. The circularity campaign is part of the “Circular Cities and Regions in Georgia” program, implemented by CENN with assistance from the European Union.