Developing efficient industrial systems through increased integration : applications in the forest industry

Sammanfattning: The starting point of this work is that it is possible for an industry to increase its product value and simultaneously decrease its use of resources and production of waste material if its material and energy flows are effectively integrated into a larger system. The character and the extent of a company's environmental impact is to a large extent determined in this interaction between companies and other external actors.The objective of this study was to find and evaluate examples of integration in the Swedish forest industry, and to develop an approach for initiating integration. The results are based on socio-technical case studies, and functionality, organisation and development of integrated systems have been addressed. The types of integration discussed are integrated biofuel upgrading, material and energy exchange between industries and/ or community, and the possibility to initiate the development of a local industrial ecosystem. It is argued that a certain degree of integration exists within the forest industry today, and in the cases studied here the integration is considered fruitful from the companies' point of view. Some means of improvement are suggested in the systems studied and it is confirmed that these can give environmental advantages.The human dimensions of increased integration are discussed, and it is seen that the conditions for implementation differ depending on the type of system considered. The most important conditions common for all systems are a positive attitude from the companies involved and a willingness to act. One factor that can have both a positive and a negative impact is if the company is part of a larger group. With regard to the integration of biofuel upgrading, it is seen that it is important to show that the biofuel combine is a way to develop the company in its strategic direction. Important factors for the development of a local industrial ecosystem were local roots and good knowledge of the system. Lack of resources, imperfect environmental regulations, time frames and the risks involved when adopting new technologies were among the barriers identified.