The 93 ha Heidelberg industrial estate houses small and medium sized enterprises in the metal, chemical, electronic and paper industries. The Institute of Eco-Industrial Analysis (IUWA) initiated a study to assess whether or not waste exchanges could be developed in more traditional industrial areas (Sterr et al. 2004); Heidelberg Pfaffengrund was selected as a trial site in 1996. Waste inventories were compiled and opportunities identified for waste exchanges. Five opportunities were pursued, and an information network was established to share waste management information between the participating companies. Only two of these synergy projects were still in operation after five years (paper and wood recycling).
It was concluded that for most waste streams, the estate was too small to close the recycling loops. In follow up initiatives the regional scope was extended to the Rhine Nectar Triangle (approximately 50 by 50 km). The region's key industries include chemicals, electronics, engineering and plant construction, led by world-renowned companies such as BASF, Daimler Chrysler, Roche, John Deere, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and ABB, complemented by a dynamic service sector (van Berkel 2006).
The following regional synergy examples are documented in this database:
By-Product Synergies
- Corrugated Board Manufacturer Taking Used Paper as Input Material
- Polyethylene Waste Used in Plastic Manufacturing
- Shared Collection and Transport of Used Pallets to Refurbishing Company
Utility Synergies
More information about regional synergies in Heidelberg can be found on:
We would be interested to learn from other case study examples that could be added to this database:
This webpage was last modified on 21 March 2007.
Disclaimer: The synergy information is provided for general use and although we believe all data to be correct, CSRP can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. All presented case-study examples are retrieved from publicly available resources.