On December 18, 2024, the Six Stakeholders Workshop of LIAISE COST Action “Aspe 2030: Innovación Circular y Simbiosis Industrial” was held in Aspe, Alicante, Spain. This event was organized to explore opportunities and challenges in advancing Circular Economy (CE) and Industrial Symbiosis (IS) within the local community, bringing together industry representatives, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders.
The workshop, conducted entirely in Spanish, took place in the event hall of Aspe and was part of the broader efforts to foster sustainable innovation and collaboration within the region. Attendees were greeted with a welcome coffee and an introduction by Antonio Puerto, the Mayor of Aspe, who underscored the town’s commitment to circular and sustainable practices.
Key Sessions and Highlights:
- Rubber in a Circular Economy: Neumáticos Soledad shared their expertise and strategies for integrating rubber into CE frameworks, emphasizing innovative recycling and reuse practices.
- Plastics in a Circular Economy: Levantina del Plástico presented their ongoing efforts to incorporate CE principles in plastic manufacturing and recycling.
- Industrial Symbiosis in Aspe: Nazim Kuyer from RedEco, member of the Action, highlighted key findings from a preliminary IS diagnostic of the region, outlining actionable next steps for implementation.
- European Perspective on IS: Almudena Muñoz from CETEM introduced the COST LIAISE Action, emphasizing its role in fostering IS networks and sharing best practices across Europe.
The workshop culminated in a round table discussion, moderated by Mabel Crespo from OMAWA, featuring insights from key regional stakeholders:
- Juan Carlos del Río (FEPEVAL)
- Rafa Lafont (FUNDEUN)
- Sol Segura (CEDELCO)
The session emphasized collaborative strategies, policy support, and industry engagement in driving CE and IS initiatives.
The workshop concluded with a networking session, providing an opportunity for participants to connect and discuss potential collaborations. This event marked a significant step forward in Aspe’s journey toward achieving its sustainability goals for 2030, setting a benchmark for regional initiatives focused on CE and IS.
