Framework and Core Elements of Industrial Symbiosis
This document establishes a common European framework for defining and implementing industrial symbiosis, aiming to harmonise terminology and support its large-scale adoption across policy and industry. Industrial symbiosis is described as the use of underutilised resources—such as waste, by-products, energy, water, and materials—by different organisations, enabling these resources to remain in productive use for longer.
The framework identifies key enabling elements, including the recovery of underutilised resources, access to information on potential synergies, and favourable business and regulatory conditions. It also highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and network-based interactions in unlocking new value chains and improving overall resource efficiency.
Drivers, Impacts and Implementation Approaches
Industrial symbiosis is presented as a strategic driver of economic performance, eco-innovation, and sustainable development. It contributes to reducing waste and emissions, improving resource security, and generating new business opportunities while supporting the transition to a circular economy.
The document outlines four main implementation approaches—self-organised, facilitated, ICT-supported, and strategic/planned—each differing in coordination mechanisms but sharing the objective of enabling resource exchanges across sectors. It also identifies key success factors, including facilitation, information sharing, supportive policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. Good practice implementation requires detailed resource mapping, cross-sector opportunity identification, and alignment of technical, economic, and legal conditions to ensure viable and scalable synergies.