An Evaluation of the Industrial Symbiosis Systems Modeling

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis, a concept derived from industrial ecology, emphasizes the collaborative and synergic production among industries. The particular focus is on cyclical flows of resources (material, energy, water, and/or by-products), in order to minimize impacts on the environment. In this way, an industry could reuse the discarded resources of another industry as an input to production. Essentially, the characteristics of the interaction between components of the system define industrial symbiosis as complex and dynamic. Uncertainty, unpredictability, emergency, and adaptability are determining features of this interaction. The development of such an innovative system requires great effort. An important step is to create a representative model of this new reality to support system change. Hence, the present article develops an evaluation of the industrial symbiosis systems modeling. For this purpose, the research adopted a bibliometric and systemic analysis. The results presented in this paper are: (i) an analysis of scientific knowledge about the theme, (ii) the main points discussed and opportunities extracted in the literature, and (iii) the paradigms of industrial symbiosis modeling and simulating. In addition, this work will cooperate as a research base for the development of a new model, which intends to support decision-making processes, during the creation of symbiosis links.