Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.

Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.

At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.

At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.

Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.

Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.

At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.

At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.

Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.

Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.

At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.

At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.

Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.

Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.

At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.

At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.

Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.

Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.

At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.

At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.

Novozymes produces biogas from the process water, from the production at both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, since the process water contains many nutrients. The biogas fuels a large engine and generator, which delivers 47,000 MWh per year. This is equivalent to the consumption of around 12,000 Danish households. The excess heat from the large gas engine is utilized locally on-site for heating. This way the use of fossil fuels for both electricity and heat production is negated.

For certain purposes in the production at Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam received from Ørsted is too hot. Therefore, the temperature is reduced to about 200 degrees. This is done by using it to heat up “used” steam from the production. The “used” steam, which is about 90 degrees, is called warm condensate. This condensate loops and recycles locally on site when it is made to “new” 200 degrees hot steam. Some of the warm condensate is also used to preheat fresh water for local steam production, so that the water temperature rises from 10 to 90 degrees. Thus, steam production requires less energy.

For certain purposes in the production at Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam received from Ørsted is too hot. Therefore, the temperature is reduced to about 200 degrees. This is done by using it to heat up “used” steam from the production. The “used” steam, which is about 90 degrees, is called warm condensate. This condensate loops and recycles locally on site when it is made to “new” 200 degrees hot steam. Some of the warm condensate is also used to preheat fresh water for local steam production, so that the water temperature rises from 10 to 90 degrees. Thus, steam production requires less energy.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.

In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.

Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.

Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.

The Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas plant is where the first part of the purification of process water from the production in Novozymes and Novo Nordisk happens. Hereafter the water is led to the final purification at Kalundborg Utility. The entire process is highly benefited by the fact that wastewater and process water from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk always is around 20 degrees. This means that the bacteria cleaning the water is faster, more efficient and with a lower energy consumption. This wat, the excess heat in the water helps saving resources.

The Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas plant is where the first part of the purification of process water from the production in Novozymes and Novo Nordisk happens. Hereafter the water is led to the final purification at Kalundborg Utility. The entire process is highly benefited by the fact that wastewater and process water from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk always is around 20 degrees. This means that the bacteria cleaning the water is faster, more efficient and with a lower energy consumption. This wat, the excess heat in the water helps saving resources.

Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.

Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.

Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.

Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.

Used cooling water is a residue from Statoil, and is by origin surface water from Lake Tissø, that has been used for cooling in a closed pipe system at the refinery. The water has therefore not been polluted, and is send back to Ørsted for steam production at Asnæsværket. This means that the amount of water collected from Lake Tissø is reduced,  and energy is saved because the used cooling water has a higher temperature that surface water from Lake Tissø, and is easier heated to steam.

When Ørsted produces electricity, the generators are powered by stea, turbines, requiring that the steam in this case is made of deionized water (make-up-water). This is also known as demineralized water, as all minerals and salts has been removed to avoid breaking internal parts of the steam turbines, boilers and the heat pipes.

Ørsted also delivers deionized water for Equinor’s steam production, which is based on the residual heat from the refinery.

Out of the more than 3 million cubic meters of surface water recovered from Tissø and used in Kalundborg Symbiosen, more than 1 million cubic meters will be cleaned to the quality of drinking water. It all ends up at Novozymes, where the cleaned surface water is used directly in their production of industrial enzymes. This saves drinking water and conserves groundwater reserves. Furthermore Novozymes can reduce one of the production costs significantly, being that cleaned surface water is far cheaper than drinking water.

Out of the more than 3 million cubic meters of surface water recovered from Tissø and used in Kalundborg Symbiosen, more than 1 million cubic meters will be cleaned to the quality of drinking water. It all ends up at Novozymes, where the cleaned surface water is used directly in their production of industrial enzymes. This saves drinking water and conserves groundwater reserves. Furthermore Novozymes can reduce one of the production costs significantly, being that cleaned surface water is far cheaper than drinking water.

Argo recieves waste from Kalundborg Utility as well as the other partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The recyclable waste is sorted into fractions and subsequently disposed of to the recycling industry. The waste is energy-utilized for electricity and heat production at Roskilde Kraftvarmeværk.

A large part of the walls and ceilings in homes, companies and offices are covered with gypsum produced at Gyproc in Kalundborg, part of the Saint Gobain Group. Gyproc gets a significant amount of Ørsted’s gypsum, where the gypsum is a residual product. When Ørsted cleans the sulfur from the smoke from Asnæsværke, the smoke is passed through a calcium solution that binds the sulfur and thereby converts the calcium into industrial gypsum.

This industrial gypsum is usable for Gyproc in the production of new gypsum borads. Gyproc thus provides a stable supply of local produce ready at hand, and much cheaper than natural gypsum. In addition, the gypsum has already been crushed. This way Gyproc saves money for the processing of the gypsum and, at the same time, limits the exploitation on Earth’s resources of natural gypsum. This is a classic example of good economy, resource optimization and increased robustness of companies in an industrial symbiosis.

The fly ash is a residual product from Ørsted, occurring when coal is burned to produce electricity. The fly ash is used as an ingredient for cement. A lot of the concrete we see every day contains fly ash. In fact, the fly ash can help strengthen the concrete. The fly ash from Ørsted is delivered to the cement industry.

Equinor Refining Denmark removes sulfor from the oil and converts the sulfur into ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) that boost the growth of plants. Instead of contaminating the air by burning the sulfur has become a valuable resource sold to the large fertilizer companies in Denmark.

ATS is a liquid fertilizer, making it easier for the farmers to dose the amount and thus fertilize more efficiently. ATS causes the plants to absorb the Sulphur and other nutrients better, which leads to less evaporation of nitrogen. So, instead of becoming acid and damaging rain, the sulphur is channeled to the right crops as a booster for their growth.

When Ørsted produces electricity, the generators are powered by stea, turbines, requiring that the steam in this case is made of deionized water (make-up-water). This is also known as demineralized water, as all minerals and salts has been removed to avoid breaking internal parts of the steam turbines, boilers and the heat pipes.

Ørsted also delivers deionized water for Equinor’s steam production, which is based on the residual heat from the refinery.

Novo Nordisk produces insulin through a fermentation process, where yeast cells grow primarily on sugar and vitamins. When the fermentation process is finalized, and insulin is fractionated out, a nutritional mixture called yeast slurry is retained. This fraction is send to a biogas plant for gasification, resulting in a production of biogas that is upgraded to natural gas quality and a production of fertilizers

Inbicon produces bioethanol for Equinor, making sure that there are the required amount of bioethanol in the gasoline and diesel Equinor produces. At Inbicon, straw is turned in to 2nd generation biofuel. Inbicon has proved that the fermentation methods used has a high yield and works on the bigger scale as well. Next step is to build a full scale plant. Inbicon has been one of the test-plants in the Kalundborg Symbiosis – and they have shown the way from the laboratory to the market.

The Kalundborg Utility treats the wastewater from homes and companies and collects a large amount of sand from the wastewater in their sand traps. The sand consists of different sizes of pebbles and gravel and is excellent as filling for digging jobs. All sand used for work like this is rinsed, sanitized and checked to make sure it meets the requirements to be reused as filling.

When Kalundborg Utility treats the wastewater from homes and companies, one of the residues is sludge. Part of this sludge is delivered to farmers for fertilizer, as the sludge contains nutrients. Before leaving the treatment plant at Kalundborg Utility, the sludge is sanitized and checked, to make sure it is usable for all types of farm land and private gardens.

So, instead of being a problem, the sludge is exploited and displaces the use of commercial fertilizer. This reduces the use of nature’s own minerals and resources.

C5 molasses and other sugars occur as by-products, depending on the chosen process at Inbi-con to convert straw into 2nd generation bioethanol. For example, in the Inbicon experimental plant, the C5 molasses are sold to a local biogas plant as it increases the efficiency in biogas plants. As one of the test facilities in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, Inbicon has shown the way from the laboratory, to the market.

Lignin is a residual product from Inbicon, which converts straw to 2nd generation bioethanol. Lignin can be used as fuel, and is therefore obvious to use in industrial symbioses, where a power plant is also included, enabling the energy to be exploited with minimal loss. Inbicon, one of the test facilities in Kalundborg Symbiosen, has shown that their method for fermentation has a high yield and works on a larger scale outside research departments. Now the next step is to build a full size plant.

NovoGro is not only a waste product to dispose when Novo and Novozymes are done letting their yeasts eat off their biomass and produce enzymes and medications like insulin. It is also a highly valued fertilizer. After additional mineralization in a biogas plant, NovoGro is able to release it’s nutrients over an entire growing season in a form that is highly accessible for slow growing plants. Because of this ability, many farmers – and especially beet farmers – are very interested inthis type of fertilizer, in order to get the higher yield. Also, this prevents using natures own minerals and resources, and it becomes part of the circle of life, by once again ending up in the ground.

Ethanol is part of certain processes when the insulin is produced at Novo Nordisk. A large part of the ethanol can be regenerated. Part of the non-regeneratable ethanol is sent to the biogas plant at Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas. Here the residues are converted into biogas. Kalundborg Utility also receives residues containing ethanol, which help the processes in their cleaning plants, including the removal of nitrogen from the wastewater.

Ethanol is part of certain processes when the insulin is produced at Novo Nordisk. A large part of the ethanol can be regenerated. Part of the non-regeneratable ethanol is sent to the biogas plant at Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas. Here the residues are converted into biogas. Kalundborg Utility also receives residues containing ethanol, which help the processes in their cleaning plants, including the removal of nitrogen from the wastewater.

Ethanol is part of certain processes when the insulin is produced at Novo Nordisk. A large part of the ethanol can be regenerated. Part of the non-regeneratable ethanol is sent to the biogas plant at Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas. Here the residues are converted into biogas. Ka-lundborg Utility also receives residues containing ethanol, which help the processes in their cleaning plants, including the removal of nitrogen from the wastewater.

Novozymes has a large production and sales of biomass, such as potato and corn starch.

When Novozymes has finished letting yeast cells eat some of this biomass, the remains contain a lot of nutrients. The remains represent the largest part of their NovoGro 30 production, which takes place in Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas department, which also accounts for wastewater treatment and biogas production.

Tissø supplies the Kalundborg Symbiosis with surface water for cooling and production purposes. This is made possible via a 12 kilometer long pipeline, which was established in 1961 by a public-private partnership between the refinery and Kalundborg Municipality. It was the first step towards the successful symbiosis partnership that has now existed in Kalundborg for over 50 years.

Tissø is the fourth largest lake in Denmark with an area of 12,3 square kilometers. It is where the biggest North European Viking settlements where located, and the place was a trading hub with international contacts.

It is told, that if you, on Midsummer’s Eve, drink from the lake’s waters, nothing ill will befall you for a year. It is unknown whether the legend is still true, but the companies that utilizes the water have definitely not been unlucky. On both Midsummer’s Day and the rest of the year, Kalundborg Utility extracts the surface water for cooling and also delivers a cleaned, potable version, which is part of the enzyme production at Novozymes.

ARGO (formerly known as Kara/Noveren) handles waste for companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis as well as companies and households in nine municipalities on Zealand. ARGO is a stakeholder owned waste management company and has a total of 125 employees, 13 of which are located in Kalundborg, where ARGO operates recycling centers for Kalundborg Municipality. Here the waste is divided into fractions and recycled and reused as much as possible. The remainder is used for electricity and heat production.

Gyproc is a part of the Saint-Gobain group, who is a global market leader in solutions for “LIGHT CONSTRUCTION”. In Kalundborg, Gyproc produces plasterboards and utilizes the gypsum Ørsted has as a byproduct. When Ørsted cleans their exhaust for sulfur, limestone is converted to industrial grade gypsum. However instead of depositing the gypsum as waste, it is sold to Gyproc where it is used as a raw material in the production of plasterboards and is aiding in ensuring that 85 percent of the materials in Gyproc’s products are recycled. This way the Kalundborg Symbiosis gives Gyproc access to local raw materials of a high quality at a compe-tetive price.

Gyproc develops innovative, market leading and sustainable solutions with a focus on increasing demands for energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction. Many walls and ceilings in Denmark and the rest of the world are covered with plasterboards from Gyproc, where part of the gypsum is a residual which has become a resource for Gyproc in Kalundborg, which has around 145 employees.

Read more about Gyproc here.

Kalundborg Utility extracts and delivers surface water and cleansed surface water to the partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. Kalundborg Utility also has one of Northern Europe’s biggest and most advanced water treatment plant, which uses ozone (O3) to process the difficultly degradable organic compounds. Kalundborg Utility processes wastewater for both the industry, companies and households in Kalundborg Municipality, as well as deliver potable water and district heating to companies and households in Kalundborg City.

Kalundborg Utility has 70 employees and plays a central role in the utilization of waterborne resources in the Kalundborg Symbiosis and are part of several new projects. For example, Kalundborg Utility is working on utilizing the residual heat in the process and wastewater from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, which is always around 20 degrees Celcius. That leftover heat can be utilized in the district heating grid by using heat pumps.

Read more about Kalundborg Utility here.

Ørsted (formerly known as DONG Energy) owns Asnæsværket, which produces steam, electricity and heat. The steam is delivered to partners in the Kalundborg Symbiosis and in the plant itself, the steam is used to drive turbines which, with the help of big generators, produce electricity for the power grid. The residual heat from that production is utilized as district heating for households and companies in Kalundborg City. For Gyproc, Ørsted supplies gypsum, which is a byproduct of the sulfur cleansing of the exhaust smoke. Ørsted also has a close cooperation with Statoil about exchanges of special water fractions and utilization of surface water and residual energy. Ørsted diverts part of the rain water from their areas to a water reservoir, where the water is gathered for production. So in this way, it reduces the extraction and use of potable water from ground water or surface water from Tissø, since the rain water is very suitable for the production purpose.

Ørsted plays a central part in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, especially with the plans and projects that have been put to work to transition the energy and steam production from coal to biogas and biomass.

Read more about Ørsted here

Equinor in Kalundborg is the largest refinery in Denmark and the only one in the world, where the residual sulfur from the desulphurisation plant is converted to liquid and high-efficiency fertilizer. The Kalundborg Symbiosis provides Equinor with easy access to steam for process purposes, cooling and surface water, as well as various types of specialized water.

The Kalundborg Symbiosis assists in  streamlining the operation of the refinery, where 335 employees produce some of the cleanest petrol and diesel in the world, which is virtually free of sulphur.

Read more about Equinor here

Novo Nordisk and Novozymes are part of a common landowners’ association, with the purpose to run and maintain the two companies’ common production areas in Kalundborg. This is where water and energy flows for both companies are distributed.

Novo Nordisk Kalundborg has 3,500 employees and produces 50 % of the world’s insulin. A total of 28 million patients worldwide use the insulin, that starts its journey in one of the production facilities in Kalundborg.

The insulin is purified from a basic material, which is produced using fermentation processes. The microorganisms in the fermentation tank are fueled primarily by sugars, vitamins, and other micronutrients. This type and size of production has big demands in terms of water and energy, which means that Novo Nordisk benefits greatly from being part of the Kalundborg Symbiosis, where there is easy access to energy and water, as well as good opportunities to develop the production to make it even more sustainable. Novo Nordisk also contributes by utilizing surplus heat and residual fractions for example for fertilizers and the production of biogas.

With its about 3,500 employees, a solid investment growth, and focus on sustainable production, Novo Nordisk Kalundborg plays a central part for the Kalundborg Symbiosis by creating new projects.

Read more about Novo Nordisk here

Novozymes is the world’s largest producer of enzymes for the industry and benefits greatly from the process steam and treated surface water from Tissø, that the Kalundborg Symbiosis offers, because the production at Novozymes requires vast amounts of water, energy and biomass. The large amounts also means that it makes a difference, when Novozymes helps create new symbiosis opportunities and utilize the existing ones. For example when leftovers from the production becomes NovoGro 30 fertilizer or when spent process water is used to produce biogas and electricity.

Novozymes has factories all over the world and on the site in Kalundborg, there are around 600 employees. Here Novozymes produces, among other things, enzymes that increase the washing performance of washing powders and enzymes that reduce the use of chemicals in industrial processes. The enzymes are made with a fermentation process, where, for example, corn, sugar and potato starch are the raw materials.

Read more about Novozymes.

Novozymes has its own wastewater and biogas plant, which utilizes the resources in the residuals from the production to produce electricity, heat and high-value fertilizer. Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas handles the residual process water and biomass from the production at both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk. This is where the first step in the treatment of the water, which is very rich in nutritious substances, happens. Some of the process water and residual ethanol from Novo Nordisk is used to produce biogas, which fuels a large engine and generator producing electricity for the grid. The residual heat from this is utilized on the facility site. A small part of the de-gassed process water from the biogas plant is sent to Kalundborg Municipality’s micro-algae plant. This is a test-plant, where micro-algae cleans the water and at the same time binds CO2 and thus delivers high-value products.

The leftover biomass and solid fraction from the process water, from both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, is mixed with calcium and turned into NovoGro 30 – a high-value fertilizer, which is sold to farmers.

At the biogas plant biogas is upgraded to natural gas quality and send via the national grid to symbiosis partners (Gyproc and Equinor) and other end consumers. Through the upgrading process sulfur and carbon dioxide is removed. However, sulfer is redirected into a production of fertilizers based primarily on the gasified residual biomass.

Gasified residual biomass from Novozymes (Novogro) and Novo Nordisk (yeast slurry) together with sulphur from upgrading of biogas to natural gas quality, make up the essential ingredients in various fertilizer products specially suited for agriculture, and where these replace other commercial and resource demanding fertilizers.

Biogas and fertilizer potentials from residual biomass from Novozymes (Novogro) and Novo Nordisk (yeast slurry) is exploited and realised at a biogas plant with in the symbiosis. At the biogas plant biogas is produced and upgraded to natural gas quality through a refining process where carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are removed from the product. Natural gas is send to local companies (Gyproc, Equinor) and to end consumers via the national gas grid. Sulfur from the hydrogen sulphide fraction is collected and reused in fertilizer products together with the gasifies biomass residual. The biogas plant is established in a partnership between Ørsted, Bigadan, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.