Finance & Economics

The CORALIS guidelines address financing and risk mitigation for Industrial Symbiosis (IS) projects, offering a structured process to enhance stakeholder relationships, align with regulatory frameworks, and improve project implementation for sustainable industrial operations.

From 2019 to 2025, global energy investment shifted dramatically towards clean energy, with investments doubling and surpassing fossil fuels. Solar power, driven by cost declines and technological advances, became the largest investment segment. However, while investment in renewables aligned with climate goals, grid investments lagged, creating bottlenecks. Surprisingly, AI data centers increased demand for reliable baseload power, reviving interest in nuclear and gas. Distributed solar grew in emerging markets independently of policy, reshaping economic dynamics, yet clean energy deployment remained unequal globally.

A new framework evaluates industrial symbiosis, showing cost savings, revenue growth, risk reduction, and intangible benefits, advocating strategic partnerships and regulatory navigation for long-term sustainable advantage.

The EU aims to produce and import 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to achieve climate targets. The European Hydrogen Bank, integral to REPowerEU, supports this via subsidies and market integration. Investments in hydrogen technologies foster innovation, job creation, and international cooperation, enhancing energy security and global leadership in clean energy transitions.

The article outlines approaches and a framework for pricing in industrial symbiosis, stressing fair and sustainable mechanisms, considering costs, earnings, risks, and value beyond economics for successful circular economies.

The CORALIS report on industrial symbiosis (IS) highlights its benefits, like reducing CO2 emissions and waste through cross-sector collaboration. Successful cases and digital platforms facilitate IS, but adoption challenges persist. Future IS policies could further sustainability and create jobs in new industries.

The European Commission's strategy for 2024-2029 aims to revitalize Europe's industrial sector, address economic challenges, promote sustainability, advance technological sovereignty, ensure social fairness, and strengthen global partnerships for a resilient, prosperous EU future.

The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, with $30 billion from Microsoft, BlackRock, and others, aims to build AI data centers and related energy infrastructure, addressing the high energy demands of AI. Other initiatives like Google's AI Opportunity Fund and IndiaAI Mission support AI infrastructure development, focusing on sustainability and international cooperation to ensure global economic and technological advancement.

Pumping systems represent significant energy and cost usage in industrial operations. Implementing thorough Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis can yield major savings by encompassing all ownership costs from initial purchase to decommissioning. Proper design, avoiding oversizing, and maintenance are crucial strategies.