Innovative solutions to governance challenges and innovation support for water-smart industrial symbiosis

“This document, Deliverable 4.3, describes the research activities undertaken between August 2023 and June 2024 under WP4, Task 4.3 of the ULTIMATE project.
Industrial Symbiosis (IS) commonly refers to collaborative efforts among industries in the exchange of materials, energy, water, and by-products. It contributes to a circular economy by reconciling economic, environmental, and social objectives. Water-Smart Industrial Symbiosis (WSIS) specifically develops synergies with regard to smart water (re)use and resource extraction from wastewater. In practice, WSIS requires alignment of interests of different actors and involves the creation of new interdependencies across sectors.
Focussing on WSIS as a social environment, the report asks: How do cases of Water- Smart Industrial Symbiosis function in terms of their organizational structure and governance? The report analyses the social roles and relations between actors in existing IS settings, namely four ULTIMATE Case Studies (CSs). It details the actors that are involved in the CSs, their roles and responsibilities, and the relationships between them. In so doing, the report highlights lessons learnt from WSIS cases regarding the types of actors that are involved and how they relate to one another in the collaborations. It brings into view how the relationships between actors develop and how are they consolidated in agreements and contracts. Moreover, the report reflects on the question of how public authorities and industry strategists can foster fruitful social relations among actors that are engaged in WSIS or are willing to become involved.”

(Citation: van Dam, A. – ULTIMATE – Innovative solutions to governance challenges and innovation support for water-smart industrial symbiosis – D4.3 (2024))