A Multi-Criteria Decision Framework for Sectoral Industrial Symbiosis: An Energy-Intensive Industry Case Study

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is a key Circular Economy strategy that promotes resource efficiency through collaboration among companies. While previous research has largely focused on established IS business models, increasing attention has been given to sector-specific implementation and the contextual factors that influence its success. This study develops a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework based on the Deck of Cards Method (DCM) to support the sectoral implementation of IS. A key innovation of this study is the incorporation of IS enablers and barriers into a sector-specific MCDA framework, providing a structured approach to support decision-making and implementation. By incorporating stakeholder preferences and prioritizing implementation opportunities, the framework provides a structured basis for decision-making, being replicated and adaptable to other industrial sectors. The framework was applied to the Portuguese cement sector through consultations with experts representing five stakeholder groups, furtherer allowing its validation. The analysis combines the importance assigned by stakeholders to the criteria and the performance of the sector across those criteria. Results for the sector perspective indicate that policy, economic, and technological criteria are perceived as the most important for advancing IS, whereas geographical, social, and management-related aspects receive lower priority. In Portugal, this sector demonstrates stronger performance in economic (17.49–3.04), technological (13.80–5.99), and environmental (14.58–3.19) criteria, while challenges remain in geographical coordination (1.16–7.95), social engagement social (0.79–6.81), and intermediary support (1.15–8.44). These findings highlight the importance of aligning policy, technological development, and organizational mechanisms to facilitate industrial collaboration and resource exchange. The study demonstrates the potential of MCDA as a practical and effective decision-support tool for IS implementation and provides insights for designing targeted strategies to strengthen sectoral Industrial Symbiosis.