Policy review and framework conditions for deploying 'Industrial Symbiosis': What are the obstacles & drivers and way forward?

This paper contains a literature review focusing on policies supporting the deployment of ̳industrial symbiosis‘. ̳Industrial symbiosis‘ is defined as connecting traditionally separate industries in a collective effort to simultaneously increase competitive advantage and reduce environmental impacts by means of byproduct exchange and shared infrastructure (Chertow, 2007). The paper review and discuss national policies and framework conditions provided by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which support or hinder development of ̳industrial symbiosis‘. Besides this, journal articles are reviewed to provide a policy landscape overview of how such ̳industrial symbiosis‘ aresupported by governments, local authorities, industry, etc., and in which areas new policy needs can be identified. To capture elements, not being addressed directly by ̳industrial symbiosis‘ policies, we also include a case study from Denmark, Maabjerg BioEnergy Concept (MEC). This case provides novel knowledge of the application of a specific ̳industrial symbiosis‘ concept, and hence of new activities and policy needs required for increasing the deployment of ̳industrial symbiosis‘ in the future. Based on the literature review, European policy frameworks etc., and the Danish case study (MEC) analysis, this paper identifies obstacles and drivers for a further dissemination of ̳industrial symbiosis‘ within the EU, and suggest on a way forward. From the literature review and framework conditions assessed we for example recommend to provide valuable incentives to industries as opposed to direct top-down regulations only. From the Danish MEC case this paper further identifies, that more flexible funding schemesshould be established, and the importance of gaining a positive position in the local, regional and national environment around the ̳industrial symbiosis‘ projects, incl. for example job opportunities and environmental benefits.