The challenge to overcome institutional barriers in the development of industrial residue based novel symbiosis products – Experiences from Finnish process industry

Abstract

The sustainable utilisation of natural resources requires a new focus on optimal material cycles and material efficiency. Recycling and sustainable industrial development through improved process design are therefore key in this context. In this study, we assessed the potential barriers within the Finnish legal framework regarding the development of novel residue-based industrial symbiosis products. A review is also made of the UK based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Finnish MOTIVA initiatives both of which aim at promoting sustainable and efficient use of materials focussing on the examination of End of Waste (EoW) approaches and quality protocols that guide residue recovery. The research approach was based on both legal review and analysis of relevant policy instruments. The research material includes interviews of actors in both operations and environmental management in various process industry companies in Finland. An industrial symbiosis case study is presented based on previous research and close collaboration between the metals and forest products process industry. The main research question is “does EU policy and the legal framework at the national level create barriers to the development of innovative residue based symbiosis products despite the fact that achievement of the stated goals of ‘recycling society’ and ‘sustainable industry’ require sustainable use of natural resources and high level of material efficiency such as enhanced waste utilisation and prevention?” The results suggest that an innovative approach to environmental permitting and a comprehensive approach to recycling, encompassing new quality and environmental compliance criteria for certain recycled materials, should receive more focus in future decision-making. Material and energy efficiency, as well as life-cycle and systems thinking are all found to be essential elements of this new approach to inter-industrial residues streams. We find that the institutional status of one of our case study products in particular (a fertiliser product, based on multiple residue stream derived raw materials), should be clarified. This paper focuses on Finnish domestic framework issues. It is continuation of the article Watkins et al. (2013)Overcoming institutional barriers in the development of novel process industry residue based novel symbiosis products – case study at the EU level. However, it can be read as an individual research paper.