On 18-20 February 2025, partners of the IS2H4C project gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye, for the project’s third General Assembly, hosted by IMMIB. Bringing together representatives from 34 organisations across Europe, the meeting marked another important step in advancing the project’s vision of creating more connected, resource-efficient industrial ecosystems through Hubs for Circularity (H4Cs).
As technical activities continue to progress, the consortium reviewed developments across the project’s work packages, assessed the progress of the pilot hubs and aligned the next phase of implementation aimed at demonstrating industrial symbiosis in real operating environments.
Advancing Hubs for Circularity
Industrial sectors are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and strengthen resilience. One promising approach is the development of Hubs for Circularity, where industries cooperate by exchanging resources such as energy, materials, water and industrial by-products instead of operating as isolated facilities.
IS2H4C is helping make this vision a reality by developing practical models that enable industrial clusters to work together more efficiently while reducing waste, improving resource use and accelerating the transition towards circular industrial ecosystems.
During the General Assembly, partners discussed the progress of the pilot hubs, explored opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and reviewed technical developments supporting industrial symbiosis. Discussions also covered policy alignment and emerging technologies, including carbon capture and hydrogen production, that can further strengthen future circular industrial hubs.
EEIP Leading Communication and Dissemination
As leader of Work Package 8, responsible for Communication and Dissemination, EEIP presented the latest progress on the project’s outreach activities and the strategy for increasing the visibility of IS2H4C throughout its implementation.
Effective communication plays an essential role in ensuring that project results reach the industries, policymakers, researchers and regional authorities that can put them into practice. During the meeting, EEIP outlined upcoming dissemination activities designed to communicate technical progress while supporting knowledge exchange across Europe’s industrial community.
The discussions covered future digital communication campaigns, webinars, publications and visual communication materials, as well as opportunities to strengthen stakeholder engagement through industry events and collaboration with related European initiatives.
Building Awareness Beyond the Consortium
One of the project’s priorities is ensuring that knowledge generated by IS2H4C extends beyond the consortium itself.
Industrial symbiosis depends not only on technological innovation but also on cooperation between companies, regional authorities and local communities. Building awareness of the benefits of circular industrial collaboration is therefore an important part of accelerating implementation across Europe.
EEIP continues to support this objective by developing communication activities that make the project’s technical work accessible to wider audiences while encouraging dialogue between industry, policymakers and other stakeholders interested in industrial decarbonisation and circular economy solutions.
Supporting Europe’s Circular Economy Strategy
Industrial symbiosis is increasingly recognised as a key enabler of Europe’s Circular Economy Action Plan and broader industrial decarbonisation ambitions. By encouraging companies to share resources instead of treating them as waste, industrial hubs can reduce their dependence on virgin raw materials, lower energy consumption and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. This collaborative approach not only delivers environmental benefits but also strengthens industrial competitiveness by creating new business opportunities and increasing the resilience of regional value chains. Through the development of practical methodologies, pilot demonstrations and stakeholder cooperation, IS2H4C is helping translate circular economy principles into real industrial practices that can be replicated across Europe, supporting a more sustainable and resource-efficient future for European manufacturing.
Looking Ahead
As IS2H4C moves into the next stage of implementation, the consortium will continue advancing the pilot hubs, validating industrial symbiosis solutions and strengthening cooperation across Europe’s industrial regions.
EEIP will continue leading communication and dissemination activities, supporting stakeholder engagement and ensuring that the project’s results are shared widely with the communities that can benefit most from them.
Through continued collaboration, IS2H4C is helping lay the foundations for more circular, resilient and resource-efficient industrial ecosystems across Europe.
Visit the project website for updates at is2h4c-project.eu
Funding Acknowledgement
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101138473
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
