At the “Pacific Northwest Industrial Symbiosis Conference”—the first of its kind in the United States—250 symbiosis stakeholders, including companies, policymakers, industry developers, and specialists, shared their experiences with industrial symbiosis (IS) and the collaboration between the United States and Denmark. Since 2016, this transnational collaboration with the U.S. has evolved from a promising idea—with Kalundborg Symbiosis serving as a beacon—to the implementation of a symbiosis program in both Washington State and Oregon. Here, the Kalundborg Symbiosis Secretariat—through collaboration with and funding from the Danish Energy Agency and the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI)—has served as a knowledge partner and gathered valuable new insights and contacts in the areas of facilitation, processes, financing models, and technological solutions.
During the panel discussion on the first day of the conference, Symbiosis Initiatives in Denmark were discussed. Moderated by Christ Cummings from Business Oregon, the Kalundborg Symbiosis Secretariat, represented by Per Møller, and the Trade Council of Denmark, represented by Sahra Diemer, presented and discussed Denmark’s strengths in the field of Symbiosis Initiatives, as well as the opportunities and initiatives offered through the Danish partnership.
The visit also included meetings with senators from Oregon and Washington, with the Danish Ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, and Danish companies, during which financing models for IS, data centers, and SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) were discussed.
Finally, Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen and Washington’s Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck announced their intention to increase cooperation between Washington State, USA, and Denmark, with IS, SAF, water, and wastewater among the key topics.
