A time-series material-product chain model extended to a multiregional industrial symbiosis: The case of material circularity in the cement sector

Abstract

Shifting to more circular supply chains is likely to have uneven economic and environmental implications among stakeholders within an industrial symbiosis. However, current macroeconomic models fail to capture such complex interactions with high material and spatiotemporal resolution. To address this issue, this paper presents an economic time-series material-product chain model extended to a multiregional industrial symbiosis. It integrates the interdisciplinary elements of partial equilibrium modelling and material flow analysis. It seeks to minimize the annual systemic costs by optimizing the supply chains of materials (primary, secondary and waste materials) and products of three synergetic sectors within five regions. The model capabilities are demonstrated by investigating the territorial consequences on annual operating cost, commercial trade balances, raw material extraction and greenhouse gas emission of the global cement industry willingness of using more waste-derived materials in cementitious materials. The results show favorable incentive at the global level. When broken down by region along the eastern borders of Canada and the United States, they show winners and losers due to an uneven spatial distribution of secondary material and a profound change in optimal trade patterns. It brings new insights in anticipating geopolitical, economic and environmental consequences of a large-scale circular economy transition.