Welcome to Symbiosis Stream – Summer edition!
As the season turns, we’re reflecting on an eventful and inspiring period here at Symbiosis secretariat. From ongoing projects and engaging visits to exciting activities and the search for our new Head of Administration, it’s been a busy and fulfilling time for our small team. Now, with summer upon us, we’re looking forward to a well-deserved pause, a moment to rest, recharge, and prepare for the fresh energy and ideas that autumn will bring. Until then, we wish you sunny days, joyful moments, and quality time with your loved ones. See you on the other side of summer!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————— No. 8, June, 2025
Advisory Board meeting at Novonesis
The Advisory Board gathered at Novonesis for an engaging session.
Henning Pedersen introduced the group to the expansion plans for Miljøteknik and Novonesis’ Waste Water & Biogas division. The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the facility, offering valuable insights into ongoing developments and future prospects in the area.
Shaping the future of Campus Kalundborg together
On April 30th, Sif took part in the Campus Kalundborg Kickoff event at Aggersvold, where 75 stakeholders from knowledge institutions, industry, and local organizations came together to share ideas and shape future initiatives for Campus Kalundborg. The day featured inspiring presentations and hands-on workshops, fostering collaboration and innovation. The event concluded with a guided tour and a delightful dinner at Dyrehøj Vingård, rounding off a productive and memorable day.
From Denmark to North Carolina: Sharing the power of Industrial Symbiosis
In May, Kalundborg Symbiosis participated in a Study Tour on Industrial Symbiosis, organized by the Danish Trade Council in the U.S.
Twenty-three representatives from various sectors in North Carolina embarked on a four-day tour of Denmark, spending two days in Kalundborg to learn how local partnerships like ours can support responsible growth.
A heartfelt thank you to Novo Nordisk, Novonesis, Kalundborg Municipality, APM Terminals, Kalundborg Refinery, Kalundborg Utility, and Kalundborg Bioenergy for your presentations and for hosting site visits. Your warm welcomes and strong commitment to the Symbiosis partnership spoke for themselves and led to many productive discussions within the group, fulfilling the ambition of Kalundborg Symbiosis: to inspire others!
The cooperation was recently featured by State of Green in the case story: From Denmark to Brazil: Can industrial symbiosis change the world?
The project is funded by the Danish Energy Agency, with strong support from Clean and Viegand Maagøe.
Symbiosis in action: Strengthening the Denmark–Brazil partnership
As part of the “PRESI” project, Sif, Mette, and Hasse Milter from Kalundborg Utility joined a May delegation to Rio, highlighting the year’s key activities. The visit included technical screenings, strategic meetings, and prominent participation at the World Circular Economy Forum, where Kalundborg Symbiosis was in the spotlight.
The project continues through 2025, focusing on anchoring identified opportunities and building a strong governance model to support long-term collaboration. Technical ideas are already taking shape, and a dedicated governance structure will help transform them into lasting impact.
One important insight from the visit was the need to bring symbiosis efforts closer to top-level decision-makers. While the technical commitment is strong, a more balanced approach, combining technical innovation with organizational support, is essential for success.
We’re committed to supporting our Brazilian partners in developing a resilient, well-anchored partnership. The exchange of knowledge flows both ways, enriching symbiosis efforts in Brazil and Denmark alike.
EU Monitoring Committee visit
In June, Kalundborg Symbiosis was visited by EU Monitoring Committee, which, among other tasks, is responsible for overseeing the progress of the EU’s Regional Fund programmes under the Danish Business Authority. The committee includes representatives from business organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions.
Unibio participated in the visit with a presentation at Helix Lab by Eleni Ntokou, followed by a site visit. Unibio’s story served as a strong case illustrating how EU funding enables the construction of test and demonstration facilities as well as the development of bio-based products, a story of how an innovative start-up fits perfectly into an industrial symbiosis.
An interesting detail: the distinctive “K” logo of Kalundborg Symbiosis was designed alongside the “S” logo for the Regional Symbiosis Center, symbolizing their shared origins.
Symbiosis chronicles: A journey through history
Over the years, support from the EU Regional Fund has enabled the Symbiosis to develop methods and tools through projects led by the Regional Symbiosis Center, beginning in 2011 and continuing with our ongoing participation in Biosolutions Zealand. What began as a visionary, municipality-anchored initiative has evolved into our current organizational structure.
The Regional Symbiosis Center (2011–2015) and Symbiosis Center Denmark (2015–2018) were both supported and funded by the EU Regional Fund. Together, these two projects played a significant role in laying the foundation for the activities of the current Symbiosis Secretariat.
Numbers speak volumes!
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming our former student assistant, Marta Dal Farra, back to Kalundborg, this time as a researcher!
Marta visited us to share the findings of her master’s thesis from the Global Development program at the University of Copenhagen, where she investigated the barriers to scaling industrial symbiosis globally.
One highlight of her presentation was a compelling analysis of visitor data dating back to 2012, a clear reflection of the growing international interest in industrial symbiosis.
At the Kalundborg Symbiosis secretariat, we remain committed to promoting and sharing the industrial symbiosis model with the world.
Remember Symbioseløbet, September 28!
This year’s fitness run not only celebrates wellness and community but also marks the 100-year anniversary of Kalundborg Idrætsforening (KIF). Like in previous years, Kalundborg Symbiosis sponsors the Symbiosis Run, continuing its strong support for local initiatives. All members are warmly invited to join the anniversary reception on October 7 to commemorate this special milestone together.
The information about the Symbiosis run can be found here
Invitation to the 100-year anniversary of Kalundborg Idrætsforening (KIF)
Leadership Transition at the Secretariat
After leading the Kalundborg Symbiosis partnership since 2014, Lisbeth will be stepping down from her position, officially passing the torch to her successor on August 1.
Lisbeth shares: “Thank you for the great collaboration and for the recognition of our work to the board of directors, the advisory board, and all associate members. It has been a privilege to be part of this journey.”
