Industrial matchmaking: A self-assessment and planning framework and a roadmap approach for industrial symbiosis

Industrial symbiosis plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing resource efficiency within industrial systems. This study introduces a comprehensive methodology to facilitate the transition from the conceptualization of industrial symbiosis initiatives to their practical implementation, focusing on a roadmap process and an innovative self-assessment and planning tool. The research explores the question: How can a newly introduced methodology and the roadmap methodology contribute to the effective planning and deployment of industrial symbiosis activities, particularly in terms of stakeholder engagement and alignment of shared goals? The roadmap methodology enables the identification of potential synergies among industrial actors by guiding them through the strategic planning required to foster collaboration, resource exchange, and environmental sustainability. The self-assessment and planning tool further supports this process by offering a framework for evaluating current system performance and outlining future actions, focusing on industrial symbiosis, industrial–urban symbiosis, and the circular economy. This integrated approach, developed as part of the CORALIS and H4C Europe project, is designed to ensure that industrial symbiosis ecosystems can effectively align their objectives with shared goals, minimise risks, and maximise the symbiotic benefits. Through a case study and practical applications, this study illustrates how these tools contribute to developing actionable plans for sustainable industrial collaboration.