Motivations and barriers to industrial symbiosis – the fluidized bed sands case study

With an increasing population growth there is a greater pressure on natural resources. This makes imperative the transition from a traditional linear model to a circular model that contributes to a more effective and efficient waste management. This research intends to study the application of the industrial symbiosis strategy in the pulp, paper and cardboard industry. It focuses on one by-product – the fluidized bed sands, and the respective industrial symbiosis value network. A questionnaire was carried out to eight experts with the objective to find out what are the main barriers and motivations that inhibit or encourage their engagement in the industrial symbiosis value network. Their main motivations are the reduction of the waste rate, energy consumption and exploitation of natural resources. The main barriers are the logistical costs, uncertainty by the final consumer regarding the use of recyclable products and the existence of more economical “virgin” raw materials.