How ENEA is Facilitating the Transition to a Circular Economy in Italy Through Industrial Symbiosis

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) stands out as one of the most significant tools for implementing the circular economy (CE) at the territorial level and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition is reflected in various strategic and policy documents of both the European Union and Italy. IS represents a systemic approach to fostering a more sustainable and integrated industrial system, addressing the collaboration of organizations not usually operating together in a territorial interaction process. The main objective is to gain competitive advantages by leveraging underutilized resources, including by-products, residues, waste, energy, water, logistics, capacity, skills, equipment, and materials, thereby extending their productive use. Regarding this, the support of experts in the role of facilitators is paramount for the successful design of an IS pathway. This paper provides a brief overview of the integrated methodological approach and tools developed by ENEA - the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development since 2010. These tools aim to facilitate Italy’s transition to a CE through the implementation of IS.