Industristrømmer

Industristrømmer, or industrial streams, is a concept used in industrial ecology and sustainability to describe the flows of material, energy and information that move through and between industrial systems. It encompasses inputs such as raw materials and energy, transformations within processes, and outputs including products, by-products, wastes, and emissions. It also includes information flows such as data, control signals, and documentation that enable coordination and optimization.

Material streams include resource inputs, coproducts, residues, and waste streams that may be recycled or recovered locally. Energy streams cover electricity, heat, steam, and fuels that power operations and can be recovered as waste heat. Information streams involve process data, operational communications, and supply-chain information that support efficiency and traceability.

Methodologically, the study of industristrømmer uses material flow analysis (MFA), energy balances, life cycle assessment (LCA), and supply-chain mapping. The concept underpins strategies like circular economy and eco-industrial parks, where businesses cooperate to reuse outputs and share infrastructure.

One well-known example of industrial symbiosis is the Kalundborg Eco-Industrial Park in Denmark, where surplus heat, power, and materials are exchanged among neighboring companies to reduce resource use and emissions. Similar networks exist in Europe and Asia, often supported by regional policy and industry associations.

Challenges include data availability, trust among partners, regulatory barriers, and the need for compatible infrastructure. When effectively managed, industristrømmer can increase resource efficiency, lower environmental impact, and spur innovative business models.