IS2H4C – Hubs for circularity applying industrial symbiosis and cooperative approach to heavy industrialized clusters and surrounding ecosystems

IS2H4C stands for “Sustainable Circular Economy Transition: From Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularity”. The project, in which 31 partner companies from 9 countries want to develop future models for the circular economy, started in February 2024. The project aims at transforming existing industrial areas, some of which already have established cycles, into hubs of circular economy (H4C) by strengthening the connection to the immediate urban environment. The aim is to develop virtually emission-free regions and define a new standard for sustainable regional development models. The implementation of this project will have a profound impact on industrial practices, societal well-being and environmental sustainability, making it a pioneering initiative on Europe’s path towards a circular economy.
IS2H4C (Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularities) demonstrates innovative circular economy pathways in industrialised urban regions. This is being done using the example of four demonstrators in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey. Over the next four years, AEE INTEC will support the development and demonstration of key technologies within the four demonstrators in the areas of carbon capture and utilisation (carbon capture and utilisation through methanation, methanol synthesis and NIPU plastics production), hydrogen production, distribution and utilisation, membrane distillation for wastewater treatment and waste heat utilisation. The first step is to identify, classify and analyse the key technologies within the hubs in order to create a data and information basis for further developments in the project.