Industrial symbiosis refers to a collaborative relationship in which all participating actors benefit mutually, often through the sharing of utilities, infrastructure, or resources. By reusing waste materials, by-products, or surplus heat, water, or energy, resource loops can be closed. This not only enhances the efficient use of high-value resources, but also significantly reduces environmental impact.
These symbiotic relationships can emerge organically between organizations, or be actively facilitated by entities such as port authorities, regional governments, research institutions, or innovation hubs.
Ports are particularly well-suited for industrial symbiosis, as they typically host a diverse range of industrial activities. They also offer opportunities for shared infrastructure and services, which can streamline exchanges between companies
A related concept is urban symbiosis, where resources flow between the port and the adjacent urban centre. In the case of territorial symbiosis, the collaboration extends across multiple ports, interconnected through waterborne transport.
How to find symbiosis partners
OVAM has set up an industrial symbiosis platform to facilitate companies finding each other for exchange of resources.
Contact your local port authority or POM to get an overview of the symbiosis opportunities within your local ecosystem.
- Port Oostende (info@portofoostende.be)
- POM West-Vlaanderen (info@pomwvl.be)
- North Sea Port – Gent (contact@northseaport.com)
- POM Oost-Vlaanderen (info@pomov.be)
- Port of Antwerp Bruges (wendy.declercq@portofantwerpbruges.com)
- POM Antwerpen (pom@pomantwerpen.be)
- Haven van Brussel (info@port.brussels)
