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 Polaris Parks – 6^th of October held a workshop on “Industrial symbiosis, resource and waste exchange opportunities” on 17 July 2023. Technical support was provided by the project consultant, Chemonics Egypt Consultants and International Synergies (UK).

The workshop aimed to identify the industrial symbiosis opportunities , resource and waste exchange, and to present successful national and international cases 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 Polaris Parks, other parks in 6^th of October city, recycling companies and waste management service providers across Egypt governorates.

Companies participated in the 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 other 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 industrial companies and representatives from government agencies such as 6^th of October Authority and MoTI. The interactive workshop resulted in the identification of many resources for potential exchange, and possible industrial symbiosis matching ideas for exchange of resources, services and waste.

The project consultants will continue providing technical support to the companies to evaluate the potential opportunities resulting from the workshop and identify economic and environmental returns.

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.