Industrial Symbiosis and Its Opportunities for Industry: Advancing Circular Economy in Slovenia
On September 6, 2024, the workshop titled “Industrial Symbiosis and Its Opportunities for the Industry” was held in Portorož, Slovenia. This event was organized as part of the Technologies and Business Models for the Circular Economy (TBMCE 2024) conference, a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, and SRIP – Krožno gospodarstvo (Circular Economy), managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska.
The TBMCE 2024 conference focused on the transition from fossil-based to renewable resources and the adoption of Circular Economy models. It brought together a diverse group of participants, including industry representatives, researchers, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations, providing a platform for discussing trends, sharing best practices, and exploring cutting-edge technologies and business models that contribute to these goals.
The session was held on the final day of the conference and played a central role in the dissemination of the LIAISE COST Action, focusing on advancing Industrial Symbiosis (IS) in Slovenia. The session was moderated by Tanja Berglez Krivec, Vice-Chair of the LIAISE COST Action, who actively presented the LIAISE project, emphasizing its relevance and efforts to promote IS. Tanja highlighted collaborative work on developing a questionnaire for companies in Cona Tezno (a business zone in Maribor), in cooperation with WP2 leader Mr. Dr. Hasan Volkan Oral. The goal of the questionnaire is to gather insights into the early implementation of IS in Slovenia.
The panel featured key experts in the field of IS:
- Per Møller from Kalundborg Symbiosis (Denmark) provided insights into the globally recognized IS project in Kalundborg, offering valuable lessons on IS practices and community engagement.
- Andreja Hlišč, Director of the Electrical Industry Association at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Slovenia, presented successful IS projects in Slovenia.
- Mojca Lončar from SIJ Acroni d.o.o (a steel industry company), shared industry perspectives and challenges in adopting IS practices.
- Aleš Osrajnik from Cona Tezno D.o.o discussed the early efforts to integrate companies under the IS framework in Slovenia with the support of the LIAISE COST Action.
