The Industrial Ecosystem#
In nature, there is no such thing as waste.
Every output from one organism is an input for another. It is a closed-loop system, a circular economy of perfect efficiency and of zero waste.
The Kalundborg industrial symbiosis is a man-made ecosystem that is based on this same principle. It is a network of public and private companies that have created a closed-loop system where the waste from one company becomes the raw material for another.
The Kalundborg symbiosis was not the result of a grand, top-down plan. It evolved organically over several decades, as companies in the region began to realize that they could create value by collaborating with each other. The first exchange took place in 1961, and the network has been growing and evolving ever since.
Today, the Kalundborg symbiosis includes a power station, an oil refinery, a biotechnology company, a plasterboard manufacturer, and the local municipality. The network involves over 20 different waste streams, and it has resulted in significant economic and environmental benefits.
The Power of Partnership#
The core of the Kalundborg symbiosis is a series of bilateral agreements between the participating companies. Each agreement is a business deal, and it is only entered into if it is profitable for both parties.
Some of the key exchanges in the Kalundborg network include:
- Surplus heat from the power station is used to heat 3,500 local homes and a nearby fish farm.
- Process steam from the power station is used by the oil refinery and the biotechnology companies.
- Gypsum, a by-product from the power station’s desulfurization process, is used by the plasterboard manufacturer.
- Fly ash from the power station is used by a cement manufacturer.
- Sulfur from the oil refinery is sold to a sulfuric acid manufacturer.
- Biomass and sludge from the biotechnology companies are used to produce biogas and fertilizer.
The Kalundborg symbiosis is a powerful demonstration of the economic and environmental benefits of industrial symbiosis. It is a model that can be replicated in other industrial ecosystems around the world.
Lessons from Kalundborg#
The experience of Kalundborg offers a number of valuable lessons for other communities and regions that are looking to build a more circular and resilient economy.
First, it shows that industrial symbiosis can be a powerful engine of economic growth. The Kalundborg symbiosis has created new revenue streams for the participating companies, it has reduced their costs, and it has made them more competitive in the global marketplace.
Second, it shows that industrial symbiosis can be a powerful tool for environmental protection. The Kalundborg symbiosis has dramatically reduced the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, it has conserved precious resources, and it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Third, it shows that the transition to a circular economy is not just about technology; it is also about trust and collaboration. The success of the Kalundborg symbiosis is a testament to the power of partnership, and it is a reminder that we can achieve more together than we can alone.
The Kalundborg industrial symbiosis is a beacon of hope in a world that is facing a growing number of environmental and economic challenges. It is a demonstration that it is possible to build a more prosperous, a more resilient, and a more sustainable world.
Sources: [1] Wikipedia, “Kalundborg Symbiosis”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalundborg_Symbiosis [2] State of Green, “Kalundborg Symbiosis”, https://stateofgreen.com/en/solutions/kalundborg-symbiosis/ [3] Sustainability Guide, “Kalundborg Symbiosis”, https://sustainabilityguide.eu/kalundborg-symbiosis/