Industrial and urban symbiosis in Sotenäs

Overview

In the industrial and social symbiosis network within Sotenäs Municipality, materials, energy, and knowledge are exchanged between several actors, all centered around the sea. The network is divided into two key areas: one focused on the marine food industry and the other addressing ocean plastic waste and discarded fishing gear, which are linked through synergies. The marine food industry network also includes a privately owned biogas and water treatment facility, agricultural operations, land-based fish farming, algae cultivation, and a brewery.

The second part of the symbiosis network revolves around the Sotenäs Marine Recycling Center, which handles marine resources collected from beach clean-ups, as well as discarded fishing gear from the fishing industry, including ghost nets and traps retrieved from the sea. At the recycling center, all incoming waste is dismantled and sorted into different fractions to increase the proportion that can be reused, upcycled, innovated, or recycled. The goal is to tackle the issue of marine litter and serve as a catalyst for innovative ideas and businesses in the field.

The work with social symbiosis aims to strengthen relationships and collaborations, support entrepreneurs in innovation and green transition, ensure the supply of skilled labor for symbiosis companies, and connect innovators with business developers or entrepreneurs with research and development resources.

Highlights

The industrial park is centered around the food industry's waste and process water, which contains a high percentage of organic material, treated more efficiently in a biogas and water treatment facility. The produced biogas replaces fossil fuels within the food industry, while much of the generated electricity is intended for land-based salmon farming. Additional waste heat from the facility is delivered to the industrial cluster to make the system more resource-efficient. The nutrient-rich, KRAV-certified biogas slurry is used by local farmers and sold in garden centers. Additionally, there are plans to develop a symbiosis between fish farming and algae cultivation, where fish farm water provides nutrients for the algae, which in turn helps purify the water.

Regarding the Sotenäs Marine Recycling Center, the collection of plastics from the oceans enables more productive reuse of the plastic and cleans up the surrounding environment, both in the sea and on local beaches. Since the symbiosis network is based on the sea, environmental benefits are achieved on both a local and international level. Collaboration between the involved actors has enabled a smarter and more productive utilization and recovery of resources.

Drivers and enablers

The symbiosis network has been shaped and developed by local businesses and entrepreneurs with support from the municipality, academia, and innovation actors. The ambition was to create an innovative and sustainable business environment that also contributes positively to the community and its residents. To support the further development of the network, Sotenäs Municipality, through Symbioscentrum, has taken on the role of a catalyst, facilitator, and coordinator, while also contributing with networks and know-how. The development is an ongoing process with many opportunities for further growth.