Symbiosis in Halland

Symbiosis in Halland is an initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to develop industrial symbiosis – a smart and sustainable way of collaborating where one actor’s residual stream becomes another actor’s resource.

Chalmers Industriteknik leads the project and supports the initiative as a knowledge provider within circular economy and industrial symbiosis, as well as through local process facilitation. By connecting companies, public actors and business-support organisations, the project seeks to create new opportunities for circular flows in which resources such as energy, materials, water, infrastructure and expertise are used more efficiently. The goal is clear: to develop the business support system in Halland so that it can better assist the regional industry in its transition towards a circular economy. By shifting from linear to circular flows, the region can contribute to addressing global climate challenges and local sustainability goals – while simultaneously strengthening competitiveness and innovation capacity.

The project focuses on building the competences, structures and collaboration models needed to enable symbiosis development at both regional and local levels. Industrial symbiosis is a long-term form of cooperation between actors, aimed at developing systems that allow residual flows to be utilised instead of wasted, thereby promoting sustainable resource use and breaking the link between economic growth and negative environmental impact. The project aims to generate long-term effects that will continue beyond the project’s duration – where new collaborations, new business models and new value networks keep evolving.

By linking to ongoing initiatives and strengthening cooperation between different sectors and companies, Symbiosis in Halland contributes to realising Halland’s Strategy for Sustainable Growth 2021–2028. The project is particularly aligned with the strategic priority focused on renewal capacity, competitiveness and the green transition.

The project is led by Chalmers Industriteknik and carried out in collaboration with EMC, IUC Halland, Halmstad University, the Municipality of Falkenberg, the Municipality of Laholm, and the Municipality of Varberg.

The project is funded by Region Halland and the European Regional Development Fund.