SYMBIO As part of its mission to advance industrial symbiosis and circular economy solutions, the SYMBIO consortium gathered in Seville on January 28-29 for its third General Assembly. Organized by the Spanish partner, CTA (Technological Corporation of Andalusia), the event brought together leading industry experts and policymakers to promote collaboration and advance circular production models.

The agenda featured project partners alongside key representatives from major companies and institutions within the Andalusian business ecosystem, including Azucarera, Heineken, Naturephenolive, Greenland Research & Co, InsectBiotech, Moeve (formerly Cepsa), and the Regional Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development of the Junta de Andalucía. The event was structured into two main blocks, facilitating discussions and collaboration on sustainable industrial practices.

SYMBIO in Action: Connecting Minds, Inspiring Change

The first day of the meeting, held on January 28 at the Inglaterra Hotel, focused on reviewing the progress of various work packages. Discussions included stakeholder engagement, mapping key technologies and resources for industrial symbiosis and refining the project’s communication and dissemination strategy.

Additionally, the agenda included planning for the upcoming online technical workshops, where stakeholders from the six participating countries will be introduced to the project's methodology and its artificial intelligence and big data tools. The day wrapped up with networking opportunities over lunch, followed by a guided tour of Seville’s historic center.

After a day of discussions and strategy planning, the second day offered a hands-on experience at Heineken’s Seville brewery, where partners explored real-world sustainability practices. Consuelo Carmona, Sustainability Manager Supply Chain at Heineken Spain, led the visit and shared insights into the strategies and best practices the plant is implementing to reduce environmental impact and promote more sustainable production.

This gathering not only strengthened collaboration among partners but also reinforced SYMBIO’s role in driving sustainable, bio-based business solutions in the south of Europe. By engaging with industry leaders and policymakers, the project continues to pave the way for innovative circular economy practices.

About SYMBIO SYMBIO

brings together eight partners from six EU countries (Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, and Belgium) committed to building bio-based business models based on circularity from the design stage and industrial symbiosis. SYMBIO's solutions enable companies to identify additional circular value from their products and materials and mitigate risks from raw material volatility, pricing, and local material supply. Thanks to industrial symbiosis approaches, more circular solutions are available for companies, ensuring wider diffusion and supporting the implementation of sustainable business practices. Want to know more? Follow us!