Circular economy areas and industrial symbioses

The circular economy creates new business opportunities for various operators. We help our clients develop circular economy areas and industrial symbioses that benefit the entire ecosystem, regional economy and the environment.

Circular economy strategies and concepts

The development of circular economy areas is based on cooperation that benefits all parties. A circular economy area can be created around one core operator, but a more sustainable approach is to examine the regional circular economy from the perspective of a value chain formed by several operators. A regional circular economy strategy, vision or concept helps operators understand what type of activity could be developed in the area and what types of synergy benefits could form between different operators.

Land use planning and regional planning

Our broad expertise in planning and EIA procedures ensures that circular economy opportunities are taken appropriately into account in regional planning. We help our clients develop business models for an industrial park and can identify the potential circular economy operators in an ecological residential area, for example. The objective may also be to create a regional circular economy value chain.

Market surveys and competitive advantages

The development of a circular economy area requires targeted market surveys and balance sheet calculations, through which the opportunities, benefits and competitive advantages of different parties can be identified. A functional circular economy area often brings together the different areas of a circular economy value chain, from the production of raw materials to the further processing and reuse of materials and side streams.

Sweco’s services for circular economy areas:

• Conceptualisation of circular economy areas
• Identifying operators
• Preparing regional visions and strategies
• Functional preliminary, general and implementation plans
• Techno-economic analyses
• Required market surveys
• Support services for regional development
• Services for land use planning and permit processes
• Coordination of interest group cooperation.