The Horizon Europe RISERS project, led by Ghent University with key partners, is driving forward industrial symbiosis (IS) by identifying 10 high-potential and high – impact synergies. As part of this initiative, RISERS has also released a series of 10 fact sheets, offering practical insights into the 10 identified impactful IS synergies across Europe.
To arrive to the 10 key synergies, an extensive database of over 600 unique IS synergies from urban-industrial and cross-sectoral clusters was compiled, mapping over 300 MES streams ( Materials , Energies and Services) and source and sink sectors for innovative resource exchanges. Using the LESTS method (legal, economic, spatial, technical, and social indicators), 50 high-impact IS cases were shortlisted, ensuring alignment with sustainability priorities. Each case was then evaluated based on the 3Ps: People, Planet, Profit, highlighting economic, social, and environmental benefits. From the top 50 cases, 10 high-impact synergies were selected based on:
- cross-sectoral or urban-industrial exchanges, avoiding intra-sectoral overlaps
- hight impact in at least one 3P category (People, Planet, Profit)
- alignment with RISERS’ priority sectors covering up to 7 process industries, energy and bio-based sectors, and an emerging sector.
The identification of the 10 key synergies and the fact sheets builds on the the work done in previous EU H2020 projects, such as MAESTRI, SCALER and EPOS and data available from literature and public sources.
What’s in the Synergy Fact Sheets?
Each fact sheet is specific for the synergy and provides:
- A detailed breakdown of a selected high-impact IS synergy including a general description and technical objectives and overview of in-and- output sectors
- An evaluation of synergy feasibility and implementation,
- Insights into potential economic, environmental, and social impact of each synergy if implemented at the European level
Find out more about the 10 synergies and learn about them from the corresponding fact sheets HERE
