How can industrial actors succeed in transitioning to sustainable development? Researcher Sandra Samuelsson studies how actors in the municipality of Sotenäs have created a successful symbiosis where residual waste from, among others, the fishing industry becomes raw material for other companies.
How did your interest in the symbiosis in Sotenäs arise?
“My commitment to sustainability issues and my interest in the food industry made me curious about how local businesses and Sotenäs municipality have managed their journey to create a successful circular economy,” says Sandra Samuelsson, Associate Senior Lecturer at University West.
“When actors in the food industry invest in sustainable development, it is not uncommon for there to be obstacles linked to laws and industrial standards, and the economic incentives are often not strong enough. Sometimes it costs more than it gives. But in Sotenäs, the industry and business sector have managed to overcome these obstacles and create an ecosystem supported by innovative thinking and close collaboration.”
What are they doing differently in Sotenäs?
“The fishing industry has long been a major and vital employer in the municipality. When stricter emission regulations for process water in the food industry were introduced 15 years ago, it became clear that the local industry’s future growth prospects were limited. The municipality and business sector representatives then introduced the idea of establishing industrial symbiosis between industries in the area around Kungshamn and Smögen.
“That became the starting point for an innovative journey where local industries began exploring ways to collaborate and develop business models for their waste, which otherwise costs money to dispose of. Keeping resources locally also reduced the need for long-distance logistics solutions, which had previously been a major expense.
“In 2015, the municipality founded Sotenäs Symbioscentrum to facilitate the transformation where industrial residual waste becomes raw material for other industries — a process supported by expertise, collaboration, and networks to achieve the best possible results.
How do the companies benefit from each other?
“Today, for example, fish scraps and sludge from the fishing industries are used as raw materials for local biogas production. Process water from the food industry is purified, and the sludge that remains is also used by the biogas facility. The residual waste from the biogas production becomes fertilizer for local agriculture. And so on. It is a circular economy where creativity and entrepreneurship play a central role.
“This has broadened the understanding of how companies from different sectors can benefit one another when the silo mindset is abandoned, and instead one studies the companies in the local area and the resources and needs they have. The positive experiences from the initiative have also attracted more companies to the area, which has enabled additional symbiotic collaborations.”
What makes the symbiosis in Sotenäs successful?
“I see several success factors. There is value in the business sector and the municipality working together. The municipality has taken on an important role in bringing companies together by creating meeting places and networks. In this way, broader trust has been built between the actors. The Symbioscentrum helps apply for funding and has a methodology and structure that keeps the work cohesive over time.
“The entrepreneurial spirit has contributed to innovative thinking and helped build an understanding of the whole picture. Of course, economic incentives are also a driving factor. The fishing industry has low margins, but by creating additional revenue streams, companies strengthen their competitiveness. There is also a strong cultural heritage and a desire to create meaning for future generations.”
What are the main challenges?
“Sotenäs is a small municipality dependent on both industry and tourism. Balancing these two interests can be challenging. Mobilizing the courage to test new approaches and create new collaborations can also be difficult. The time it takes can vary for different actors, and it is important to respect that.”
Why is it important to research this?
“There are lessons and experiences here that others can benefit from. I want to understand how this type of change is achieved. How is it done in practice, and what does the learning process look like? Since the symbiosis work began, the Covid pandemic and an uncertain global situation have changed the landscape for both companies and municipalities. There is now a greater awareness of the value of self-sufficiency and working in a more sustainable way.”
Contact: Sandra Samuelsson, researcher in Business Administration, University West.
FACTS
• The research project E-lead is funded by the KK Foundation and runs from 2020 to 2026.
• Read more about Sotenäs Symbioscentrum.
At University West, we conduct research in collaboration with society to help create a better future.