MM. Hodge (2004)
This thesis presents a new Industrial Symbiosis analysis method focused on stakeholder profit to better identify and motivate cooperation. Applied to U.S. brick manufacturing, it uses LCA, GIS and decision analysis to find facilities that benefit economically and environmentally from using glass cullet. The approach proves feasible and offers competitive and sustainability gains for data-rich industries.
Enhancing Sustainability in the Brick Industry through Industrial Symbiosis: A Framework for Resource Efficiency and By-Product Integration
This study explores the potential of industrial symbiosis as a strategy to improve sustainability in industrial systems, focusing on a case study within the brick manufacturing sector. Industrial symbiosis is conceptualized as the collaboration between traditionally separate industries through the exchange of materials, energy, and by-products, with the aim of reducing waste and enhancing resource efficiency. The research develops a methodological framework to identify and quantify symbiotic opportunities, addressing the challenges that have historically limited the implementation of such systems. Through detailed analysis of production processes and material flows in brick manufacturing, the study demonstrates how industrial by-products can be reintegrated into production cycles, thereby reducing environmental impact and resource consumption. The findings highlight both the technical feasibility and the economic and environmental benefits of implementing industrial symbiosis, while also underlining the importance of systemic analysis and cross-sector collaboration to unlock its full potential.