Iulia Degeratu

Ministry of Environment and Forests

TESTING INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS APPROACH IN ROMANIA

Application of Industrial Ecosystems Principles to Regional Development

LIFE 07 ENV/RO/000690 ECOREG Budget:

880.700 €48,41% EC co-financing

Implementation period: 1st February 2009 – 31st October 2011

Coordinating Beneficiary:

Ministry of Environment, Romania

Associated beneficiaries:

GEC Bucovina, Romania

INCD ECOIND, Romania

International Synergies Limited, UK

Development of Project Application

2007- Bruxelles: ETAP Working Group organised by the

European Commission: NISP UK recommended as best practice for eco-innovation/ eco-efficiency

- Presented as an approach easyly transferable independently of the socio-economic context

- Already had delivered significant results in the UK, as well as internationally

Why in Romania?

Romanian context- New Member State in 2007, access to best practices- Compliance with the EU environmental legislation- More than 90% waste sent to landfill (high costs for

the industry, few compliant landfills)Opportunity - to test new approaches in waste management and

resource efficiency- attractive approach for companies – possible

economic profit - new jobs (especially for the population previously

employed at large industrial units)- integrated approach – sustainable development into

practice

FinancingLIFE+ Programme

Partner findingMin. of Environment (ETAP National Coordinator) + ISL

Min. of Environment + ECOIND/National R&D Institute for Industrial Ecology (previous IS research & concerns)

ECOIND + GEC Bucovina (NGO, Suceava County) had previously applied for national financing for an IS pilot

Min. of Env. + ISL + ECOIND + GEC = application to LIFE Programme / November 2007

2008 Co-financing granting by the EC: LIFE+Committee/ July 2008

Development of Project ApplicationDevelopment of Project Application

AIMTo test & evaluate the potential of Industrial

Symbiosis for the development of a region in Romania

Waste ResourcesBy-products Surplus

Definitions

The results will be monitored & assessed at the level of Symbiotic Partnership

Symbiotic Partnership/ Synergy= relations involving material & energy exchange (according to IS principles) between two or more organisations

Focal Points (partner units) = organisations who wish to establish symbiotic partnerships with other organisations

ECOREG Objectives Reduction in consumption of raw materials,

energy for all partners (focal points) by implementing innovative methods and instruments

Reduction of environmental impact of companies through sustainable development policies at enterprise level

Improving public image of focal points

Conservation/development of tourist potential of the area, creating premises for new job availability

ActivitActivitiesies

Expected Results (200 companeis involved)

Environmental ImpactReduction in raw materials consumption by 2-5% for each

IS partnerWaste & pollutant discharge reduction by 5-20% for each

IS partnerConversion of by-products into resources

Economic ImpactIncreased economic efficiency (through technology

improvement, cleaner production)Reduction of the environmental protection costs

Social ImpactJob preservation and creation of new job availability

Landmarks 2009Landmarks 2009

Landmarks 2009Landmarks 2009

Early experiences

RESULTS OF THE ECOREG PROJECT TO DATE

171 companies in the Synergie dtabase

228 available resources identified

Over 100 potential sinergies

15 synergies completed18 synergies near completion

25280 t waste diverted / resources saved

Future Steps

Initial Vision: Implementing IS nationally, in parallel with major investments in the environmental infrastructure

First step: TEST the IS approach locally (Suceava County, RO)2009 - 2011

Based on the results of the ECOREG project – design of extended regional programmes (2011 - 2013)- target specific industries- 2 or 3 regions (different in terms of economic situation, employment)

Design and launch of a National IS Programme (2015)

Contact

Iulia DEGERATUPublic ManagerEU-financed Programmes UnitMinistry of Environment and ForestsTel. +4 021-316 64 94E-mail iulia.degeratu@mmediu.ro