Circular economy and industrial symbiosis. Possible pathways in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale
Author(s)
La Monica, Marco
Date Issued
June 22, 2016
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to verify whether some industrial symbiosis pathways can be implemented in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale managed by Consorzio di Sviluppo Industriale della Provincia di Rieti. In order to achieve this objective the thesis aims to answer the following research questions: i) Why is it important to move from a linear economy to a circular economy through industrial symbiosis? ii) What economic concepts can be used to explain the industrial symbiosis at the regional level? iii) What are the most interesting initiatives of circular economy and industrial symbiosis in different territorial scale? iv) How can we verify opportunities of industrial symbiosis in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale? v) Are there some possible pathways of industrial symbiosis that can be implemented in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale?
With the aim to answer these research questions the thesis is organized into six chapters.
In the first chapter, we show why the industrial symbiosis can be considered an effective industrial policy tool for the transition towards a circular economy. For this purpose, we first focus on the main reasons of the decoupling between economic growth and human pressure on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Then, we focus on the importance of the transition from an open and linear economy to a closed and circular one in order to overcome such decoupling. Finally, a description the most relevant issues concerning the industrial symbiosis takes place, by discussing the extent to which it may be an effective tool to convert in a circular way the current linear model of production.
In the second chapter, we describe the main theories and models of regional economics, explaining more effectively the industrial symbiosis. To do so, we tackle the different concepts of space in the economic theories and their most important features, by focusing, in particular, on two groups of economic theories, the industrial location theories and the local development theories. The role played by industrial symbiosis in the regional economics is then discussed at the end of the chapter.
In the third chapter, after describing the main policies on circular economy at the international level, we present some successful cases of industrial symbiosis at different spatial scales. Namely, two experiences of industrial symbiosis at the local level (Kalundborg in Denmark and Guigang Group in China), and two experiences at the regional level (National Industrial Symbiosis Programme, NISP in UK. and ENEA experiences of industrial symbiosis in Italy) are discussed.
In the fourth chapter we explain the methodology used to verify whether some industrial symbiosis pathways can be implemented in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale. At first we describe the research methodology used; after we focus on methodology applied to the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale.
In the fifth chapter we introduce the case study of industrial symbiosis in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale. At first, we describe the industrial cluster and its territorial context; then, we show the input/output matching of companies and the scenario analysis of the matches identified.
In the last chapter we display the possible pathways of industrial symbiosis in the industrial area of Rieti-Cittaducale. At first we focus on the main industrial symbiosis pathways identified; then we discuss the main economic and environment results that can be achieved through their implementation.
The evidences emerged from the analysis developed in these six chapters are the basis to draw some conclusions and answer to the research questions that inspired this thesis.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Economia e territorio
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