Eco-Industrial Parks in Egypt – “Towards sustainable and more profitable industrial zones”
Industrial symbiosis, resource and waste exchange opportunities workshop
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Orascom Industrial Parks – Sokhna Complex, located in Suez Canal Economic Zone, held a workshop on “Industrial symbiosis, resource and waste exchange opportunities” on 7 February 2023 in Ain Sokhna. Technical support was provided by the project consultant, Chemonics Egypt Consulting and International Synergies (UK).
The workshop aimed to clarify the principles of industrial symbiosis, resource and waste exchange, and to present successful Egyptian and international examples of industrial symbiosis between companies demonstrating their economic, environmental and social benefits. Opportunities for industrial symbiosis, resource and waste exchange were identified through interactive exercises between the industrial companies in Orascom Industrial Parks and recycling companies and waste management service providers industrial zones in the Suez Canal area.
Companies which participated in this workshop identified opportunities for the exchange of resources such as water, energy, by-products, waste management services and industrial waste which can be recycled or used as inputs in different industries. This contributed to increase the added value of products for the manufacturers which could increase their competitive advantage and reduce the environmental impact of these wastes.
The workshop was attended by 33 industrial companies and representatives from government agencies such as the Industrial Development Authority and the Environmental Compliance and Sustainable Development Office of the Federation of Egyptian Industries. The interactive workshop resulted in the identification of 150 resources for potential exchange, and 185 possible industrial symbiosis matching ideas for exchange of resources, services and waste.
UNIDO experts will continue providing technical support the companies to evaluate the potential opportunities resulting from the workshop and identify obstacles related to the opportunities.
GEIPP Egypt is implemented under the framework of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) in Developing and Transition Countries currently funded by Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI). It aims at demonstrating the benefits of EIP approaches in scaling up resource productivity and improving economic, environmental and social performances of businesses and thereby contributing to inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
For more information, please contact: S.Fouad@unido.org or A.Flammini@unido.org
