Industrial Symbiosis Day Ireland

The workshop will bring organisations from different parts of Ireland’s nutrient system together to identify practical opportunities for industrial symbiosis – identifying where a residual stream, resource or capability from one organisation can become an input or source of value for another.

The focus is on reconnecting wastewater, agriculture and bio-fertiliser production to improve the recovery, management and circulation of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.

The workshop is deliberately designed to move beyond general networking or opportunity listing. Participants will develop a small number of prioritised symbiosis opportunities, identify the conditions and barriers that need to change, and agree a shared change pathway and immediate actions for collaboration.

Objectives of the workshop:

• Create a shared understanding of the current nutrient flows, actors and points of disconnection across wastewater, agriculture and bio-fertiliser systems.
• Connect promising nutrient/resource exchanges between organisations and sectors.
• Rapidly assess which opportunities have sufficient potential, readiness and stakeholder interest to merit further development.
• Identify the technical, economic, regulatory, market, logistical and governance conditions that currently prevent collaboration.
• Develop a shared change pathway showing what needs to change to move from isolated projects and waste management towards integrated nutrient cycles.
• Agree a small number of concrete next steps, owners and relationships that can continue after the workshop.