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Many examples of symbiosis processes studied within the context of industrial research could be applied in Italian productive system, so as to make related environmental improvement an attractive process for industrial stakeholders. By now, Industrial Symbiosis is not systematically applied because of some difficulties mainly related to regulations and to a culture of collaboration (among companies, and between companies and industrial research world) that must still be further developed. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the existing opportunities in the Emilia-Romagna territory and to analyze in terms of methodology and results some useful experiences and realized and ongoing projects in this area for the development of the regional system, intended to apply Industrial Symbiosis and to spread a circular economy approach. Pilot projects, undertaken or in progress in Emilia-Romagna region, are described and analyzed in terms of methodology and results. They aim to study the potential for the application of circular economy by closing production cycles The regulatory framework at national and regional level is analyzed in order to identify critical points and obstacles to the diffusion of Industrial Symbiosis practices. The paper analysis method also includes the evaluation of the opportunities resulting from European funding programmes and from national strategies related to the new European Cohesion Policy. The results of this study, based at different levels of analysis (background experiences, regulatory framework and strategic opportunities) are territorial guidelines, useful for Emilia-Romagna institutions to approach Industrial Symbiosis methodology. This method has been also suggested within the waste plan of Emilia-Romagna Region as interesting and ''useful to the reduction of industrial waste quantity''. As a conclusion, symbiosis has been proved to be a quite effective tool to create new economic growth opportunities: regional and national policies, together with technical experts and entrepreneurs, must work towards the completion of cycles within the production system, in order to foster circular economy. It is needed an effort by all actors of the process (especially institutions) in order to overcome regulatory and cultural issues.

This study deals with the biodegradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)s present in a soil contaminated by soot waste, characterised by a total PAHs content in the 200 mg kg −1 range. A challenging characteristic of the waste soil treated was its high alkalinity, with a pH of about 12.8. The waste came from a soot-contaminated area located in the industrial zone of Porto Marghera, Venice (Italy). The biodegradation process employed was the composting of the waste with sewage sludge and yard waste. The process was carried out on a pilot scale using a closed tank with forced aeration for a period of 60 days, followed by 70 days with natural aeration. The time evolution of the process was monitored by following the time change in the concentration of the 16 US-EPA PAHs, as well as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, C and N contents. Also phytotoxicity parameters, such as the growth and respiration indexes, were monitored. An induction time of about 30 days was observed, which corresponded to the time required before observing a significant self-drop in the waste pH and an increase in mass temperature. Afterward, a progressive drop in the PAHs concentration was observed, up to reaching after 130 days an overall degradation percentage in the order of 68%. The degradation was more effective on rather low molecular weight PAHs (2-4 rings).