On October 29, 2024, the LIAISE COST Action hosted the fifth and final workshop of its first grant period, “Industrial Symbiosis: From Idea to Realization,” at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Osijek, Croatia. This in-person event gathered participants from across Europe to delve into practical approaches for implementing Industrial Symbiosis, a core focus of LIAISE’s mission to promote sustainable and symbiotic industrial practices.
The workshop agenda provided a structured overview of Industrial Symbiosis concepts and regulations, showcasing local applications in Croatia. It opened with Aleksandar Erceg from the Faculty of Economics and Business, who introduced the LIAISE COST Action’s objectives and achievements to date. Following his presentation, Merim Kasumović from the Faculty of Economics in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, explained the fundamental principles of industrial symbiosis, offering insights into its transformative potential for circular business models.
Branko Dunjić of the University of Belgrade’s Center for Cleaner Production shared online a presentation on establishing Industrial Symbiosis synergies, emphasizing strategies for creating mutually beneficial collaborations between industries. Next, Biljana Činčurak Erceg from the Faculty of Law in Osijek discussed the legal framework governing industrial symbiosis in the region, outlining key regulatory considerations for successful project implementation.
The workshop continued with presentations from Livirt d.o.o. and Nexe d.o.o., who shared examples of industrial symbiosis initiatives already in practice within Croatia. Their experiences underscored the potential for industry-wide partnerships to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency, setting a valuable precedent for similar initiatives across Europe.
Concluding with a networking session, attendees exchanged ideas and discussed potential collaborations. This final workshop marked a successful conclusion to the first grant period of LIAISE, highlighting its dedication to fostering Industrial Symbiosis as a sustainable pathway to a Circular Economy in Europe.
