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Methodological Aspects of Applying Life Cycle Assessment to Industrial Symbioses

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  • Tuomas Mattila
  • Suvi Lehtoranta
  • Laura Sokka
  • Matti Melanen
  • Ari Nissinen

Abstract

In view of recent studies of the historical development and current status of industrial symbiosis (IS), life cycle assessment (LCA) is proposed as a general framework for quantifying the environmental performance of by‐product exchange. Recent guidelines for LCA (International Reference Life Cycle Data System [ILCD] guidelines) are applied to answer the main research questions in the IS literature reviewed. A typology of five main research questions is proposed: (1) analysis, (2) improvement, and (3) expansion of existing systems; (4) design of new eco‐industrial parks, and (5) restructuring of circular economies. The LCA guidelines were found useful in framing the question and choosing an appropriate reference case for comparison. The selection of a correct reference case reduces the risk of overestimating the benefits of by‐product exchange. In the analysis of existing systems, environmentally extended input‐output analysis (EEIOA) can be used to streamline the analysis and provide an industry average baseline for comparison. However, when large‐scale changes are applied to the system, more sophisticated tools are necessary for assessment of the consequences, from market analysis to general equilibrium modeling and future scenario work. Such a rigorous application of systems analysis was not found in the current IS literature, but would benefit the field substantially, especially when the environmental impact of large‐scale economic changes is analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tuomas Mattila & Suvi Lehtoranta & Laura Sokka & Matti Melanen & Ari Nissinen, 2012. "Methodological Aspects of Applying Life Cycle Assessment to Industrial Symbioses," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(1), pages 51-60, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:16:y:2012:i:1:p:51-60
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00443.x
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    1. Antonino Galati & Giorgio Schifani & Maria Crescimanno & Demetris Vrontis & Giuseppina Migliore, 2018. "Innovation strategies geared toward the circular economy: A case study of the organic olive-oil industry," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(1), pages 137-158.
    2. Vadenbo, Carl & Hellweg, Stefanie & Guillén-Gosálbez, Gonzalo, 2014. "Multi-objective optimization of waste and resource management in industrial networks – Part I: Model description," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 52-63.
    3. Fraccascia, Luca, 2020. "Quantifying the direct network effect for online platforms supporting industrial symbiosis: an agent-based simulation study," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    4. Fraccascia, Luca & Albino, Vito & Garavelli, Claudio A., 2017. "Technical efficiency measures of industrial symbiosis networks using enterprise input-output analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(PA), pages 273-286.
    5. Hafiz Haq & Petri Välisuo & Seppo Niemi, 2021. "Modelling Sustainable Industrial Symbiosis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Fatima Khitous & Fernanda Strozzi & Andrea Urbinati & Fernando Alberti, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Network Analysis of Existing Themes and Emerging Research Trends in Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Huijuan Dong & Zuoxi Liu & Yong Geng & Tsuyoshi Fujita & Minoru Fujii & Lu Sun & Liming Zhang, 2018. "Evaluating Environmental Performance of Industrial Park Development: The Case of Shenyang," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(6), pages 1402-1412, December.
    8. Luca Fraccascia & Vahid Yazdanpanah & Guido Capelleveen & Devrim Murat Yazan, 2021. "Energy-based industrial symbiosis: a literature review for circular energy transition," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 4791-4825, April.
    9. Fabiane Florencio de Souza & Mariane Bigarelli Ferreira & Adriana Valélia Saraceni & Leozenir Mendes Betim & Tafael Lucas Pereira & Rodolfo Reinaldo Hermes Petter & Regina Negri Pagani & Luis Mauricio, 2020. "Temporal Comparative Analysis of Industrial Symbiosis in a Business Network: Opportunities of Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-18, February.
    10. Lucyna Łȩkawska-Andrinopoulou & Georgios Tsimiklis & Sarah Leick & Manuel Moreno Nicolás & Angelos Amditis, 2021. "Circular Economy Matchmaking Framework for Future Marketplace Deployment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-22, May.
    11. Michael Martin, 2020. "Evaluating the environmental performance of producing soil and surfaces through industrial symbiosis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 626-638, June.
    12. Carlos Scheel & Bernardo Bello, 2022. "Transforming Linear Production Chains into Circular Value Extended Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    13. Xiao Dai & Jian Wu & Liang Yan & Qian Zhang & Fangli Ruan & Dan Wang, 2019. "Industrial Structure Restructuring, Production Factor Allocation Analysis: Based on a Mineral Resource-Intensive City—Jiaozuo City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, February.
    14. David Font Vivanco & Serenella Sala & Will McDowall, 2018. "Roadmap to Rebound: How to Address Rebound Effects from Resource Efficiency Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    15. Liu, Zhe & Adams, Michelle & Cote, Raymond P. & Geng, Yong & Chen, Qinghua & Liu, Weili & Sun, Lu & Yu, Xiaoman, 2017. "Comprehensive development of industrial symbiosis for the response of greenhouse gases emission mitigation: Challenges and opportunities in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 88-95.
    16. Dong, Liang & Liang, Hanwei & Zhang, Liguo & Liu, Zhaowen & Gao, Zhiqiu & Hu, Mingming, 2017. "Highlighting regional eco-industrial development: Life cycle benefits of an urban industrial symbiosis and implications in China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 361(C), pages 164-176.
    17. Winans, K. & Kendall, A. & Deng, H., 2017. "The history and current applications of the circular economy concept," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 825-833.
    18. Viaggi, Davide, 2015. "Research and innovation in agriculture: beyond productivity?," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 4(3), pages 1-22, December.
    19. Muñoz-Liesa, Joan & Royapoor, Mohammad & López-Capel, Elisa & Cuerva, Eva & Rufí-Salís, Martí & Gassó-Domingo, Santiago & Josa, Alejandro, 2020. "Quantifying energy symbiosis of building-integrated agriculture in a mediterranean rooftop greenhouse," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 696-709.
    20. Torbjørn Pettersen & Emil Dæhlin & Per Anders Eidem & Olaf Trygve Berglihn, 2020. "Investigating the Potential for Increased Energy Utilisation and Reduced CO 2 Emissions at Mo Industrial Park," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    21. Fraccascia, Luca & Giannoccaro, Ilaria & Albino, Vito, 2021. "Ecosystem indicators for measuring industrial symbiosis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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