Industrial Symbiosis in Valencia’s Corridors of Growth
Residues that cling to a company’s balance sheet often turn into a burden for one player and a resource for another. In response, many industrial zones are embracing a simple concept: exchange and reuse of surplus materials among the businesses that share the same space. This approach, known as industrial symbiosis, was a focal point at the 3rd Valencia Community Industrial Zones Congress held in Alicante. The event, organized by Fepeval in collaboration with Sustainability in the management strategies of these sites, showcased real world ways to cut waste and cut costs by pooling assets that would otherwise sit unused.
The congress brought together business leaders, municipal officials, consultants, and managers from industrial parks across the country. A highlight was a detailed briefing by Maite Bargues, director at CBRE Alicante, who outlined the company’s ongoing work to reduce CO2 emissions through smarter design and sustainable mobility. The discussion underscored approaches that help large workforces commute efficiently to the polygons while aligning with broader environmental goals.
A Blablacar that Improves Efficiency and Saves Money
Aidimme’s deputy director and a key leader of the Society’s Industrial Symbiosis Observatory, Vincent Sales, spoke about the circular economy and the practical benefits of waste exchange among neighboring firms. This collaboration can boost sustainability, lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact across the network. The discussion also touched on local energy communities that enable self consumption of renewables, a strategy aimed at lowering electricity bills for participating companies. Ramon Gero, head of Synergies and Innovation at Eiffage Energía, highlighted these low carbon structures and other solutions designed to reduce the footprint of industrial areas.
The onstage commentary stressed how intercompany waste exchanges can become a cornerstone of long term resilience for zones that struggle with rising energy prices and waste management pressures.
Further remarks by industry leaders emphasized the importance of creating a framework that supports continuous improvement in energy efficiency and material reuse within the zone. These ideas are seen as essential steps toward decarbonizing manufacturing clusters while preserving regional competitiveness.
Other voices at the congress echoed these sentiments, underscoring the value of interconnected infrastructure for sustainable growth. Francisco Garcia Calvo, an infrastructures advisor for Femed and the Valencia Entrepreneurs Association (AVE), highlighted the need to interconnect polygons through railway corridors. He argued that rail offers a cost effective, safe, and highly efficient transport option. In Europe there is talk of a railway highway concept that would enable trains to move containers and semi trailers, streamlining logistics and reducing road congestion. The emphasis was on creating a seamless, integrated transport network that supports industrial activity while lowering emissions.
Public Support for Modernizing Industrial Assets
The congress also examined public policy measures designed to revitalize industrial sites. The Generalitat’s management and modernization program, created in 2018, was cited as a catalyst for improving governance and upgrading facilities. Attendees learned about successful cases in the Valencia Community, such as the Cotes industrial area in Algemesi, L’Andana in Paterna, and the Asempas site in Teruel. These examples illustrated how modern, competitive, and sustainable spaces can attract investment and stabilize employment in economically challenging times.
As the event concluded, Fepeval’s leadership reaffirmed the impact of regional legislation, noting that the Valencia Community Law 14/2018 supports the development of decent, modern spaces that power regional competitiveness. The gathering also highlighted the broader national context, with leaders from the Confederation of Business Areas (Cedaes) underscoring that economic stress often correlates with higher unemployment, whereas well-run industrial zones help buffer communities. Other attendees included municipal officials and regional agency representatives who contribute to shaping the policy environment for industrial zones.