Industrial symbiosis practices: A case study of Türkiye and Denmark

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 224 - 233, 31.03.2025

Kemal Ulusoy , Neslihan Doğan-sağlamtimur , Fehiman Çiner , Andrzej Sternik , Paulina Sekula

https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1271679

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a collaborative strategy where companies share services and physical resources. This promotes resource efficiency and reduces the environmental impact of industrial activities within a network. IS offers numerous benefits, including: (1) reduced greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings, process improvements, and fuel substitution, (2) lower energy costs, (3) less waste sent to landfills, (4) decreased use of virgin materials, (5) minimized transport and logistics costs, (6) lower environmental impact, (7) reduced pollution, (8) decreased water consumption, (9) reduced hazardous waste, (10) economic benefits from waste valorization (adding value), (11) easier compliance with environmental regulations.

Consuming large amounts of resources (raw materials, water, electricity, etc.) and generating significant solid, liquid, and gaseous waste, industries in Türkiye and Denmark have increasingly adopted IS to optimize their systems and address sustainability concerns. Concerted efforts over the last decade have advanced IS practices, particularly in process sectors such as chemicals and manufacturing. This study aims to shed light on the current implementation of sustainable practices within the industrial landscapes of these two countries, focusing on key IS initiatives.

Keywords

Circular economy, Environment, Industrial symbiosis, Sustainability

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