Feasibility of Industrial Symbiosis in Italy as an Opportunity for Economic Development: Critical Success Factor Analysis, Impact and Constrains of the Specific Italian Regulations

Abstract

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.

The Potential of Industrial Symbiosis: Case Analysis and Main Drivers and Barriers to Its Implementation

“…One of the first steps in the design and analysis of a potential synergy network is the collection of information and quantitative data. Various methods have been used for this, such as interviews [44,65,78,82,106], questionnaires [9,37,63,85,111], site visits [64,84,86,112], and focus groups [53,64,68,85].…”

“…To enable the realisation of industrial symbiosis networks, it is also essential to obtain knowledge not only of the possible participants but also of the numbers and types of waste/by-product available. Thus, in addition to meetings with local businesses that help foster possible relationships, as achieved in Emilia-Romagna, Italy [53], the Catania and Siracusa districts in Italy [66], and Colombia [34], the use of digital programs and platforms can also facilitate this interaction by building a common base with potential participants and waste and by optimising possible relationships. Examples of these are the development of a digital web platform for the electrical and electronic equipment sector [38], the Looplocal tool, which is useful in countries with geographically dispersed industries [72], the eSymbiosis multilingual service, implemented as an accessible web service [80], the SymbioSyS tool [87], and the ESOTA®platform, which is based on relationship mimicking [112].…”

“…Industrial park/eco-industrial park: [75,76,87,91,98,104,110,114]; business park: [81]; local industrial network: [64]; industrial districts (companies with geographical proximity): [67]; nearby companies: [35,36]; clusters: [73,107] Macro Region: [43,53,66,80,83,93]; region (residential, industrial, rural dimensions): [11]; city (industrial park and urban area, industrial and urban symbiosis): [9,37,39,106]; municipality: [72]; island: [74,122]; agro-industrial symbiosis: [120]; automotive sector: [63] 3.…”

The decline of eco-industrial development in Porto Marghera, Italy

“…Iacondini et al (2014) identify regulation as one of the main factors limiting a systematic development of industrial symbiosis in Italy. Accordingly, a flexible regulatory framework and favorable policies are supportive of Industrial Symbiosis (IS) development (Chertow, 2000;Côt e and Hall, 1995;Lowe and Warren, 1996;Côt e and Smolenaars, 1997;Gertler, 1995;Desrochers, 2002;Boons et al, 2013;Lethoranta et al, 2011).…”

“…Furthermore, at the national level, IS has not been seen as a possible strategy to overcome difficulties or crisis in the industrial sector: the regulatory framework is inadequate, and this limits licenses and technology sharing. Lack of collaboration between different companies and different production chains is diffuse; resistance to share sensitive data about internal waste fluxes is present; lacking or wrong communication towards companies and the need for a coach/leader authority exists (Iacondini et al, 2014).…”