This article develops a process model of eco-industrial park evolution. It draws on two article communities previously identified through a scoping literature review, concerning the development of eco-industrial parks and industrial symbiosis, respectively. The study seeks to find answers to the main research question: How should phases of eco-industrial park evolution and their critical factors be considered when replicating or reproducing existing eco-industrial park successes in new contexts? By identifying four phases of eco-industrial park evolution and shedding light on the critical factors influencing these, the study presents replication and reproduction recommendations, and thereby provides knowledge to diffuse success stories into other contexts. The study undersores the need for a flexible and adaptive approach to diffusion of EIP successes, considering elements such as the costs and benefits of replication, the idiosyncratic nature of some critical factors, and their relevance in the new context. Moreover, the results of the study highlight the need for capacity building in the replicatee context, focusing on mobilizing and activating existing resources to curate initiatives for EIP formation. Strong collaboration between the replicator and replicatee, where empowerment is central, is seen as a key factor in effective EIP replication.

Working with more than 25 companies, we jointly developed 42 green business models for industrial symbiosis, which together will lead to significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and material use.

This brochure focuses on the development and environmental assessment of sustainable business models for Industrial Symbiosis. An industrial symbiosis business model describes how a business creates value by exchanging surplus resources such as residual products and energy with one or more other companies. The GAIA model is a tool for working with the development and sustainability check of a business model. Through its focus on environmental concerns, GAIA can complement other and existing business model tools, such as Business Model Canvas.

Industrial symbiosis, the exchange of excess resources between traditionally separate industries, has received increasing attention in recent years as a means of realizing a circular economy. Research has focused on determining how industrial symbioses come about and develop. Characteristics and dynamics of their emergence as well as their development processes have been identified. However, within this field, little attention has been paid to the effect of relations and interdependence between symbioses in the emergence process. The present paper addresses this gap. Its objective is to determine how existing industrial symbioses influence the emergence of new ones and contribute to industrial symbiosis network development. In doing so, a conceptual model is built and presented, explaining the connection and dependence between existing and emerging industrial symbioses. The model is inspired by analogies with biological processes of reproduction, which are translated into industrial principles. Embedded in the model are the principal reproduction modes: budding, broadcast spawning, and brooding. To validate and illustrate the applicability of the model, the paper presents empirical cases selected from the industrial symbiosis network in Aalborg, Denmark. Based on findings of the case study, the model of industrial symbiosis reproduction is found to be a useful tool for gaining a new perspective on industrial symbiosis networks' development. The paper contributes to the understanding of industrial symbiosis emergence and network development processes by revealing the role of interconnectivity among existing and emerging industrial symbiotic linkages.