Terra Daily conducted a comprehensive study to understand how third-party actors facilitate industrial symbiosis initiatives. You will find attached the summary of this study .
Abstract
Keywords: Industrial and Territorial Economy, Third party actor, Animation, Coordination
According to the OECD (C. Bremer, 2018), the use of raw materials is expected to double by 2060 worldwide. If we refer to the nine planetary limits, a sixth, that of the freshwater cycle, was just exceeded in September (Stockholm resilience center, 2023).
To respond to the challenge of mastering raw materials, the concept of Industrial and Territorial Ecology (ITE) (Frosch & Gallopoulos, 1989) appeared in the 1980s.
The ITE presents itself as a scientific field and an operational approach to resource management on a territorial scale. According to Synapse (which is the official national network of ITE players), 308 ITE projects are listed in France to date. For the Orée association, which has brought together and led ITE projects in France for around thirty years, statistically, only half of the approaches will be sustainable.
Indeed, many actors gravitate within ITE approaches (communities, companies, associations, facilitators, etc). The literature identifies some success factors such as a clear territorial strategy, systematic cooperation between stakeholders, effective coordination, and shared governance.
Building on these factors, ITE must generate environmental, social and economic benefits.
Operating in an increasingly uncertain and complex economic environment, the third-party actor, which designates the interface structure within the ecosystem of actors, presents itself as a catalyst, a facilitator, and a support for stakeholders.
Based on the analysis of the success factors of ITE approaches, the aim of this study is to understand the specificities of the third party to discern how it contributes positively.
This question having not been the subject of specific studies, the ambition of this professional thesis is to be able to mainly help the Orée association, ADEME, the Synapse network, to better understand the attributes of the third party to perceive its impact on the success of ITE projects and to derive good practices for all territories. Our study will be based on one hand on a literature that has been booming since the 2000s. On the other hand, a qualitative study via semi-structured interviews involving thirty-one people in charge of ITE projects, in France and abroad, was conducted over three months. These interviewees mainly occupy the positions of facilitators, elected officials, business leaders or CCI and ADEME project managers.
The first results of the study show that we can measure the success of an approach according to five distinct areas. First, the approaches must benefit from political support with committed elected officials. If the latter is combined with the support of ADEME, it will be even more effective. Conversely, a lack of territorial strategy, a lack of support from the region or district can prove damaging. Secondly, it is important that the territory has a rich and diversified industrial fabric made up of numerous companies. Port areas greatly encourage the development of approaches. Having SMEs rather than large groups in these areas promotes the degree of territorial involvement as well as rapid decision-making. Third, the economic model of the approach must show convincing and tangible results to ensure its sustainability. A financial membership to a club or association is preferred to balance funding between public and private. Furthermore, since the motivations of companies remain mainly economic, these approaches must be able to generate “quick wins” very rapidly. Fourth, governance must involve all stakeholders in the project, be dynamic and democratic. In addition, we must prevent this governance from relying only on a few people. Finally, the role and influence of the third party on other actors will be decisive in the success of the process. It also interacts directly within two of the previous areas mentioned, namely an economic model and governance. It will ideally be in the form of a hybrid structure. The creation of a brand will promote the recognition and communication of this actor in the territory.
In conclusion, the third-party actor must have enough employees operating in the territory.
These people must have solid theoretical knowledge and convincing professional experience to conduct these ITE projects. Good practices exist in this area in many countries, particularly in Belgium. But what is the future of ITE policy in France? Is the ITE not in competition with other strategies such as ZIBAC projects and new forms of industrial symbioses? Despite these risks, the ITE should further develop in France in the coming years. Whatever the territorial strategy developed, the third-party actor will remain the essential driver of the ecological transition of territories.