Integrated Pollution Management of Eco Industrial Park - Research Paper Example

Integrated Pollution Management: Eco Industrial Park Heading Page I. Abstract……………………………………………………………………………...1 II. Introduction………………………………………………………………………..1 III. Evolution of Industrial Symbiosis ………………………………………………1 IV. Saving Environment ……………………………………………………………...2 V. Economic Benefits ………………………………………………………………....5 VI. Examples of Eco Industrial Parks in the World ………………………………..6 VII. Government Participation Policy and Procedure …………………………......7 VIII. Industrial Ecology an Australian Perspective ………………………………..9 IX. More about Industrial symbiosis in Australia……………………………….. .10 X. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………..11 XI. References...………………………………………………………………………..12 I. Abstract: The case study of various units of Kalundborg in Denmark is proven to be the frontrunner in industrial symbiosis and is taken up as a model eco industrial park first of its kind in the world. The different units not only coexist but save on natural resource by waste circulation, also use its wastes to generate alternate source of revenue. The government policy for the sustainable development of such parks are analysed concisely also in global perspective. Lastly a briefing in regards to New South Wales in Australia with its viability and effectiveness in that region, also from the government angle and its sustainable development is discussed. II. Introduction: Industrial ecology or symbiosis is a concept generated out of collaboration and inter-firm exchange of by products and collocation of the industrial units within same area. The core theory of symbiosis is the mutual and profitable coexistence and environment friendly sustainable development with an emphasis on preservation and reuse of scarce raw materials and natural resources. The principal aim is to ascertain its efficacy for sustainable development of the region to preserve and recycle resources for mutual benefits of the units as well as society as a whole. III. Evolution of Industrial Symbiosis: Evolution of "industrial symbiosis" at Kalundborg, Denmark is a favourite case study for the industrial ecologists. ‘Over the last 20 years in a small industrial zone on the coast, 75 miles west of Copenhagen Kalundborg Industrial park evolved.’ [Indigo Development consulting company, (online) Available from from the online page http://www.indigodev.com/Kal.html] The key component or constituent of industrial symbiosis is to work together in order to reach a distinct solution. In the symbiosis concept, the by product generated by one company is consumed or is an important channel for any other or more than one companies interconnected in the park. The final result is a significant reduction in consumption of scarce resources and diminution of adverse environmental impact. The cooperation of different units increases efficiency without straining resources like energy water and other raw materials. This can be achieved by following methods, namely, in case of by products using innovative ways so that they can be commercially viable for the company, or use by products in an ingenious mode through new inventive operation. [Brattebø H., (2002) NTNU - Industrial Ecology Programme (online)(accessed May, 2009) AvailablePages5&6from:] [Industrial Symbiosis Institute Kalundborg, Denmark (2008) New technologies and innovation through Industrial Symbiosis pages 1(online) Available from ] [Chertow, M. (2007) “‘Uncovering’ Industrial Symbiosis.” Journal of Industrial Ecology, Vol 11(1):Pages 12to14] [Indigo Development consulting company, (online) Available from ] IV. Saving Environment: In Kalundborg industrial symbiosis three major areas are focussed namely, conserving water, saving energy and integrated waste management. The flow of materials and energy among companies (and with the community) has developed over last 25 years in this small industrial zone. The symbiosis was started when Gyproc in 1970 located its facility in Kalundborg. It was done to take advantage of the butane gas which the refinery was burning and was made available from Statoil since 1972. The gambit of exchange of industrial wastes and other materials between companies and for the welfare of the communities have not only reduced cost, but also transformed industrial wastes as a good source of income as was noticed by the plant managers and the residents of that area. This was having a great deal of impact on the environment on which till date they were unaware. On a whole there were five major industrial units which formed the core collaborators in some way or other. These were: 1. Largest thermal power station Asnaes in Denmark with a capacity of 1500 megawatts which is powered by coal; 2. Largest refinery in Denmark Statoil with a capacity of 3.2 million tonnes per year with an average annual increase of 4.8 million tonnes per year; 3. A plasterboard factory Gyproc with an annual production of 14 million square metres of plasterboard; 4. A biotechnological company Novo Nordisk which is the producer of 40% of world’s insulin and industrial enzymes; 5. The city is itself a source of supply of heating to 20000 residents and supplies water to home and industries. Over the last 20 years there was a spontaneous development of partnership which grew out of mutual exchange and economic viability and was not a planned growth. It all started with the bilateral agreement between Gyproc and Statoil’s burning gas as a potential source of low cost fuel. Asnaes is a thermal power station and operates at 40% thermal capacity, so the majority of the energy generated was wasted. In a major conjoint initiation Asnaes began supplying steam to the city for the new heating system in the district, later on the pharma giant Novo Nordisk and Statoil refinery also became their customers for supply of power. After collaboration for supply of steam to district heating system, the Government at once replaced 3500 oil furnaces which were a huge source of air pollution. The power plant started using salt water for cooling instead of sweet water which helped conserving fresh water of Lake Tisso. Again this hot salt water from the power plant was utilised in a small portion in almost 57 fish farms. In the year 1992 Statoil had to comply with sulphur emission standards and had to build a sulphur recovery unit, some of this sulphur was again utilised by power plant in place of coal and the clean sulphur was permitted for other usages also. The material flow was managed in a scientific way by pharma giant Novo Nordisk. The sludge excreted from its process along with fish farms water treatment plant was utilised as fertilizer in another farm. This exchange network formed a giant share of the total of 100 million tonnes per anum. The fly ash desulfurized by the power plant is used by a cement manufacturer in the region. SO2 produced as a product is reacted and converted into gypsum by Asnaes is sold to Gyproc which satisfies almost two thirds of its requirement. Pure liquid sulphur produced by the petro-refinery is sold to Kemira a sulphuric acid producer. Surplus yeast used for insulin production by Novo Nordisk is sold as animal feed for pig farms. The chain of recycling and reuse not only is a major source of revenue but also reduces the air water and land pollution level. So the very concept of Kalundberg if translated in ecological terms acts just like large ecology of phytoplankton and zooplankton that coexists on each other’s waste product and energy. [Industrial Symbiosis Institute Kalundborg, Denmark (2008) New technologies and innovation through Industrial Symbiosis pages1of5(online)Availablefrom] [Brattebø H., (2002) NTNU - Industrial Ecology Programme (online)(accessed May, 2009)Pages7&8Availablefrom:] [Industrial Symbiosis Institute Kalundborg, Denmark (2008) New technologies and innovation through Industrial Symbiosis pages 1 to 5 (online) Available from ] [Indigo Development consulting company, (online) Available from from the online page http://www.indigodev.com/Kal.html ] [Garner, A., Keoleian, G.A. (1995) Industrial Ecology: An Introduction National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education, University of Michigan.Page28 (online) Available from ] [Lowe, E.A. (1997) Creating by-product resource exchanges: strategies for eco-industrial parks. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 5, No. 1-2 (July 24, 1998), (online) (accessed May, 2009) Available from: URL:www. sciencedirect.com] [United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics, (online)(accessedMay,2009)Page4Availablefrom:URL:www.unep.fr/pc/ind-estates/casestudies/kalundborg.htm] [WBCSD.(2000)Eco-Efficient Leadership for Improved Economic and Environmental Performance.Geneva.Page6(online)(accessedMay,2009) Available from:URL:www.wbcsd.org ] V. Economic Benefits: It is estimated that the firms by using this waste circulation and reuse method have saved $160 millions by investing $75 millions which is an annual savings of $15 millions (USD). In addition to the said advantage there are other supplementary benefits of both economic and financial nature. The excess heat from Asnaes power plant generates process steam around 1,5 mio. GJ as well as central heating which is comparable to usage of electricity in 75000 residential houses and corresponds to 2,40,000 tons of carbon dioxide. This system of symbiosis will restore 150000 m3 steam to the power plant, furthermore the use of steam and biomass as fuel will save 25000 tons CO2. Circulation of reused water redeems almost 3 mio. m3 of water from nature. Industrial gypsum is produced as a by product which replaces the costly imported natural gypsum which in turn is used in a plasterboard unit. Moreover reused gypsum is collected and supplied to plasterboard units, hence overall 15million m2 of gypsum is replacing natural imported gypsum which is huge savings in terms of rare natural resource and foreign exchange. The insulin produced is utilized as animal feeder for pig farms and replaces 70% of traditional feed. Additionally, 150000 tons of biomass is applied as fertilizer by 600 farmers in New Zealand and caters to 60% requirement of fertilizers. Sludge from various units are converted through bio remedial process and this purified non pollutant soil is administered in New Zealand’s construction sites; soil detoxification unit is biggest in Kalundborg. More than 80% of waste collected is used as raw materials for paper, plastic, metal and building material production. Household wastes of 150000 families are recycled as source of heat and electricity. [Brattebø H., (2002) NTNU - Industrial Ecology Programme (online)(accessed May, 2009)Pages6,7&11Availablefrom:] [Industrial Symbiosis Institute Kalundborg, Denmark (2008) New technologies and innovation through Industrial Symbiosis pages 2 of 5 (online) Available from ] [Indigo Development consulting company, (online) Available from from the online page http://www.indigodev.com/Kal.html] VI. Examples of Eco Industrial Parks in the World: Besides Kalundborg in Denmark, the earliest eco industrial park planned was in UK in a small town called Consett, which was once a predominantly steelmaking town. In UK other cities are developed in concept of industrial symbiosis like Castleford in West Yorkshire. Further initiatives are processed in areas like Hampshire, South Tyneside, Sandwell and Doncaster. Moreover, Netherlands had adapted the policy of eco industrial parks as a national policy with Eilering & Vermeulen as forerunners. Other examples can be cited in Germany, France, and Gibbs (2003) in Italy. USA has various organized eco industrial parks outstanding being Cabazon in California, and also Monterey and San Leandro are recycling parks. In Asia, Japan is leading in constituting eco industrial plants such as Sapporo. In Australia initiatives taken in heavy industrial areas like Kwinana (Western Australia) and Gladstone north of Brisbane (Queensland) amply demonstrate advantages of industrial symbiosis and also social and economic benefits. The Western Australian Wheatbelt town of Narrogin is home to an innovative Industrial Symbiosis project. [Sam Goss, Gareth Kane, Graham Street (2005) The Eco-Park: Green Nirvana or White Elephant? Clean Environment Management Centre, University of Teesside, United KingdomPages4to9. (online)Available from: ] VII. Government Participation Policy and Procedure: Eco industrial development is sustainable by active participation of government in coordination with industrial system mechanism. More appropriately it should be a public private participation and neither core public intervention nor pure public participation should form the very basics of the policy procedure. Specific and targeted public financial support is welcome in some cases. In modern era of industrialisation there should be a judicious admixture of environmental protection and industrial development, as well as cohesive policy and procedure. Government and Public institutions play an important role in implementing and maximising public value. In addition to prevention and abatement of all sorts of pollution in an eco friendly industrial development, much broader and elaborate policy issues should be framed to best support the promotion and expansion of them. There should always be regulatory authorities and strict vigil to implement the regulations. Transparency in public access to information along with incentives is some measures that protect the society and environment. The policy of government should be such that it can lead, support and follow in equal terms. The support to eco industrial development shall be through such programmes like funding, technical support, assisting in planning and stressing on information, implementing policies and procedures which are flexible and can have positive impact on communities. The policies should provide a baseline which protects the environment, human health, safety and implements it with uniformity. The use of resource and waste disposal should be such that it can absorb the impact of adverse ecological and health issues. There are a few challenges specifically in some Asian countries where dominance of Public Sector has given rise to ineffective management of projects. In many countries the dominant partners are public enterprises with little or no private participation, politics have influenced decision with out any clear economic or development strategy. Inefficient bureaucratic influences have done little to help the cause of eco industrial development and are major hindrances for its growth. However, the image of government should be like true public servants always ensuring that the development is sustainable and serves the needs of society at large. [Bateman, Brenda Ortigoza. (1999) Place-Based Public Policy in Southeast Asia: Developing, Managing, and Innovating for Sustainability. US-Asian Environmental Partnership. (online)(accessedMay,2009)Available from:] [Giannini- Spohn S., Hendricks B.,(2003) The Role of Government in Eco Industrial Park Development Institute of America’s Future USA, US Environmental Protection Agency from Eco-industrial Strategies by Cohen-Rosenthal E., & Musnikow J. pages 68-82] [Lowe, Ernest A. (2001) Eco-Industrial Handbook for Asian Developing Countries Prepared for the Environment Department, Asian Development Bank.Pages3&7 (online) (accessed May, 2009) Available from: URL:www.indigodev.com/Handbook.html] [Stevenson R.,. (2001) Guidelines for Policy Integration and Action Planning for the Promotion of Cleaner Production. Draft document prepared for Asian Development Bank, Environment Department. Manila.] [Weinberg, Matthew et al. (1994) Industrial Ecology: The Role of Government in Allenby, Braden R., and Deanna J. Richards. The Greening of Industrial Ecosystems. Washington: National Academy Press pp. 123-133.] [Weitz, Keith A. and Shelia A. Martin et al. (1995) Regulatory Issues and Approaches for Encouraging Eco-Industrial Park Development in Developing an Eco-Industrial Park: Supporting Research, Volume 1, Final Report, Research Triangle Institute Project Number 6050, Research Triangle Park, NC. Page29] [Union of International Associations (UIA), (online)(accessed May, 2009) Available from: ] VIII. Industrial Ecology an Australian Perspective: Industrial ecology can be seen as a gateway to sustainable economic development with a stress on profit maximisation. The reuse of resources and also wastes help in increasing financial gains. In this way companies save on scarce raw materials, energy, storage and processing cost. The impact on environment is huge with less solid waste disposed as landfills, less usage of scarce water and check in emissions to the air. It has got social impact in the form of job creation and sustainable development and conservation of scarce natural resource. As the space for landfill is getting limited day by day, ever increase in oil prices and constant fear of global warming by climate change, is having a negative impact in industries in Australia. The industrial ecology in such circumstances will provide permanent solution to waste management, minimize waste and will be an added incentive for proper resource utilisation. In the given circumstances the Government of New South Wales should formulate a plan to give incentives to such eco industrial parks. The New South Wales Government should prioritise plans and incentives based on the Environment Protection and Assessment Act 1979, if a given project is considered to be of state or regional significance. The government can plan both economic as well as ethical incentives. The major challenges in eco industrial parks are to collocate and develop symbiotic relation since marketing and mode of communication also plays a decisive role. It must play a proactive role in leading from front by laying systematic policy which will permit organized growth approach to regional development. [Sharma, R. (2005) Industrial Ecology – Oxymoron, or the Way of the Future?Pages1&2 (online)Availablefrom:] [Rene van Berkel, Altham J., (2004) Industrial Symbiosis For Regional Sustainability: An Update On Australian Initiatives Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production Curtin University of Technology] IX. More About Industrial symbiosis in Australia: In Australia heavy industrial areas like Kwinana (Western Australia) and Gladstone north of Brisbane (Queensland) amply demonstrate advantages of industrial symbiosis. The Western Australian wheat belt town of Narrogin is home to Industrial Symbiosis project. These examples demonstrate that it is not just by product or waste exchange but the benefit is far reaching and circumscribe other aspects also like economic and social benefits. Since the year 2000 Australia has taken initiatives in the form of industrial symbiosis, some of the policies initiated are Mining Minerals & Sustainable Development, Degraded Land and Dryland Salinity and Draught and water restrictions. Kwinana Industrial Area is an example of Industrial symbiosis with about a dozen mineral processing industries. There is nickel, aluminium, oil refineries, and also houses a coal gas fire station, cement, and chemical and pigment plant. Another important name in this aspect is Gladstone on Queensland coast; it houses Queensland Alumina Ltd and uses water from Calliope river sewerage treatment plant. In the wheat belt town of Narrogin the weather is arid and ground water is saline and also effected by greenhouse gases. The farmers there planted mallee tree which soaks groundwater and lowers salinity level. The leaves and branches are processed and used as renewable energy in various forms. These projects are taken up in the form of challenge to prove that industrial symbiosis can be designed and implemented effectively in Australia [Rene van Berkel, Altham J., (2004) Industrial Symbiosis For Regional Sustainability: An Update On Australian Initiatives Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production Curtin University of Technology] X. Conclusion: The above discussion leads to the following conclusion that eco industrial parks are not only the instrument of sustainable development but also an inter phase between growth, economy and environmental ecology. It is the technique and perhaps the only avenue by which the society can at large be benefited without disturbing our ecosystem and thus preventing destruction of natural resources, on the other hand sustaining necessary growth for development of the entire society. XI. References: 1. Bateman, Brenda Ortigoza. (1999) Place-Based Public Policy in Southeast Asia: Developing, Managing, and Innovating for Sustainability. US-Asian Environmental Partnership. (online)(accessed May, 2009) Available from: 2. Brattebø H., (2002) NTNU - Industrial Ecology Programme (online)(accessed May, 2009)Pages5&6,7&8to11 Available from: 3. Chertow, M., (2000) Industrial symbiosis: Literature and taxonomy. Annu. Rev. Energy Environ., 25:313–337. 4. Chertow, M. (2007) “‘Uncovering’ Industrial Symbiosis.” Journal of Industrial Ecology, Vol 11(1):Pages12to14 5. Garner, A., Keoleian, G.A. (1995) Industrial Ecology: An Introduction National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education, University of Michigan.Page28 (online) Available from 6. Giannini- Spohn S., Hendricks B.,(2003) The Role of Government in Eco Industrial Park Development Institute of America’s Future USA, US Environmental Protection Agency from Eco-industrial Strategies by Cohen-Rosenthal E., & Musnikow J. pages 68-82 7. Indigo Development consulting company, (online) Available from 8. Industrial Symbiosis Institute Kalundborg, Denmark (2008) New technologies and innovation through Industrial Symbiosis pages 1to5 (online) Available from 9. Lowe, Ernest A. (2001) Eco-Industrial Handbook for Asian Developing Countries Prepared for the Environment Department, Asian Development Bank. (online) (accessed May, 2009) Available from: 10. Lowe, E.A. (1997) Creating by-product resource exchanges: strategies for eco-industrial parks. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 5, No. 1-2 (July 24, 1998),Pages3&7 (online) (accessed May, 2009) Available from: 11. Rene van Berkel, Altham J., (2004) Industrial Symbiosis For Regional Sustainability: An Update On Australian Initiatives Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production Curtin University of Technology. 12. Sam Goss, Gareth Kane, Graham Street (2005) The Eco-Park: Green Nirvana or White Elephant? Clean Environment Management Centre, University of Teesside, United KingdomPages4to9. (online)Available from: 13. Sharma, R. (2005) Industrial Ecology – Oxymoron, or the Way of the Future?Pages1&2(online)Availablefrom: 14. Stevenson R.,. (2001) Guidelines for Policy Integration and Action Planning for the Promotion of Cleaner Production. Draft document prepared for Asian Development Bank, Environment Department. Manila. 15. Union of International Associations (UIA), (online)(accessed May, 2009) Available from: 16. United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics,Page4 (online)(accessed May, 2009) Available from: 17. WBCSD. (2000) Eco-Efficient Leadership for Improved Economic and Environmental Performance. Geneva.Page6 (online)(accessed May, 2009) Available from: 18. Weinberg, Matthew et al. (1994) Industrial Ecology: The Role of Government in Allenby, Braden R., and Deanna J. Richards. The Greening of Industrial Ecosystems. Washington: National Academy Press pp. 123-133. 19. Weitz, Keith A. and Shelia A. Martin et al. (1995) Regulatory Issues and Approaches for Encouraging Eco-Industrial Park Development in Developing an Eco-Industrial Park: Supporting Research, Volume 1, Final Report, Research Triangle Institute Project Number 6050, Research Triangle Park, NC.Page29. Read More