In the fight against carbon emissions, excessive energy use, and growing waste, the Circular Economy (CE) stands out as a key pathway forward. The LIAISE COST Action concentrates on Industrial Symbiosis (IS), the practice of transforming one industry’s by-products into valuable resources for another. This process can dramatically reduce landfill waste, cut carbon emissions and lower operational costs for all parties. However, these symbiotic opportunities are often missed simply because companies are unaware of each other’s needs and resource streams.
A new, powerful digital networking tool, the Industrial Symbiosis Stakeholder Directory, has been launched to serve as a central matchmaking platform for the European Circular Economy. The directory is a key practical outcome of the LIAISE COST Action, addressing one of the most significant barriers to a widespread Circular Economy: the lack of awareness and connection.
The Industrial Symbiosis Stakeholder Directory aims to be the ultimate solution to this information gap. It acts as a specialised, professional networking platform and a searchable database, enabling a wide range of stakeholders to find and connect to start collaborative projects.
“This tool is not just another contact list; it is an active ecosystem hub intended for all the key players required to build a functional symbiotic network. The directory acts as a sophisticated search engine for the Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis.”
Dr Apostolos Michopoulos, LIAISE Working Group leader from the University of Cyprus
“The directory includes profiles for industrial and commercial enterprises, which can prospectively list the inputs they require and the outputs they generate. It also brings in researchers and academic institutions, who can offer technical expertise to test, validate or adapt a by-product for a new use. Finally, it includes policymakers and public bodies, who are crucial for navigating and improving the regulatory frameworks that can either hinder or help facilitate these innovative business models”, adds Professor Jiří Strouhal, leading the communication and dissemination activities of LIAISE Action.
Users can search for partners based on specific, practical criteria. They can filter by geographic location, which is critical for the logistics of resource transfer or by industrial sector. The value proposition of this directory is clear and compelling. For businesses, it offers a direct path to improved economic performance through reduced disposal fees and lower, more stable costs for raw materials. For researchers, it provides a vital bridge to industry, allowing them to apply their work to real-world challenges. For policymakers, it provides a real-time map of regional resource flows, highlighting opportunities to foster green growth and industrial resilience.
Additional information
About LIAISE COST Action
The LIAISE COST Action is an interdisciplinary network gathering experts from academia, industry, and technology organisations in 92 countries. Its mission is to promote an inclusive, comprehensive approach to Industrial Symbiosis by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Through the joint efforts of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, the initiative works to advance and implement Industrial Symbiosis throughout Europe.
View the Action webpage
View the network website
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Read our earlier COST Action news about LIAISE: Circular economy solutions to address major environmental challenges