Element-based mapping of waste and by-product material flows – a transformational enabler for industrial symbiosis

An outstanding knowledge gap for Foundational Industries (FIs) is the lack of an overarching understanding around the material flows of their wastes and by-products, including their volumes, chemical composition ranges, where they are generated, and if/how they are already valorised. Whilst some individual FIs have made significant progress, a ‘big picture’ approach for the FIs as a whole is still lacking. Mapping and modelling the flows of FI wastes and by-products can be a transformational enabler for FIs to identify untapped opportunities for industrial symbiosis – and hence open up new pathways to leverage emerging processing innovations, minimise emissions, and increase circularity. 

This project will develop a simplified mapping model of FI wastes and by-products in the cement, ceramics, steel and glass sectors. The unique innovation of this model will be a focus on the key chemical elements relevant to each sector. The immediate impact will be a proof-of-concept version of this mapping methodology and a visualisation interface.  This will be refined in close consultation with the industrial partners and may identify so-far untapped opportunities for industrial symbiosis between these sectors.

Alastair Marsh

University of Leeds