How can companies collaborate smarter and utilize resources better? That was the main topic when State Secretaries Astrid Bergmål and Emil Raaen, together with officials from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries visited Haugalandet on Monday, August 25.
The background to the visit was the Regional Growth Agreement between Rogaland County Municipality and the state, which will facilitate increased value creation, new jobs and an environmentally neutral, low-emission region through green industrial development. Industrial symbiosis is central to the agreement.
During the visit, the delegation was shown how the project works to solve challenges related to inefficient resource use and linear economic models. They also received concrete examples of how valuable resources are currently being wasted due to regulations and framework conditions – and input on what is needed to promote circular processes. The county council and several of the region's mayors also participated in the visit.
Guided tour with concrete input
The visit began at Hydro Karmøy , where the delegation was briefed on both current operations and plans for a new wire casting plant. Hydro particularly highlighted the challenges the regulations create for the reuse of pulp in the development of industrial areas. Moving on, Eramet Sauda shared its experiences and pointed out the need for better utilization of by-products such as sludge, dust and fines – and that profitability and predictable framework conditions are crucial.
Upon arrival at Equinor's/Gassco 's processing plant at Kårstø, the guests were given an introduction to the plant's operations and a clear message that clear criteria and more streamlined processes are needed to facilitate the reuse of by-products and recycled materials. Here, Horisont Energi also gave a presentation on challenges in the CO2 storage value chain. The day ended in Haugaland Næringspark , which is planned with resource sharing and interaction between actors as a guiding principle.
Legislation hinders circularity in industry
For Industriell Symbiose Haugalandet it was important to highlight that the potential for circularity is great, but that the current framework in practice creates barriers. Many by-products and materials that could have reusable value – such as blasting sand, drying mass and filter mass – are defined as waste and thus excluded from circular solutions. This results in unnecessary landfilling and loss of resources.
Lack of predictability and organizational barriers make it difficult to plan holistically, and contribute to the fact that profitable solutions often fail to emerge.
We thank the state secretaries and the civil service for the visit. It was valuable to be able to showcase both opportunities and barriers for circularity in Haugalandet, and we experienced a delegation that was engaged, listening and keen to find good solutions together with the industry.
