Transforming Robbiki Leather City to an EIP

Workshop on” Industrial Symbiosis and Resource/ Waste Exchange Opportunities”

 

In the framework of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Program (GEIPP-Egypt), which is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in cooperation with the Industrial Development Authority and the Cairo for Investment and Development Company, and with the support of the consultancy consortium Environics / EWATEC, held the second workshop entitled “Industrial Symbiosis and Resource / Waste Exchange Opportunities“.

 

The workshop was conducted on March 7, 2023, at the Cairo for Investment and Development Company headquarters in Robbiki Leather City. During the workshop, the best possible alternatives for industrial symbiosis were discussed. Opportunities for cooperation between companies were identified regarding the reuse and recycling of materials, waste, water, wastewater, energy, and joint services represented in training opportunities and energy supplies.

 

Through the workshop, the consultants aimed to raise the awareness and capabilities of industrial park management and the resident tanneries with the concepts, benefits, and possible savings related to industrial symbiosis. The workshop also presented successful international examples of industrial symbiosis alternatives and their economic, environmental, and social benefits.

 

The workshop had an interactive discussion session that included the possible industrial symbiosis alternatives related to the tanning industry, opportunities for the reuse and recycling of by-products and water, as well as discussing opportunities to use solar energy as a renewable resource.

 

The workshop was attended by representatives of the resident tanneries, the project team (UNIDO, SECO, and the Consulting consortium), the park management authorities (the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Cairo for Investment and Development Company (CID)), and some government agencies (such as the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), the Industrial and Mining Projects Authority (IMPA), and service providers (such as glue companies and wastewater treatment company). The project team (UNIDO, SECO, and the Consortium) organized, managed, and presented the workshop. The interactive workshop resulted in identifying interchangeable by-products and services, as well as the possible compatibility opportunities for exchanging resources and waste between different entities.