We kicked off the 3rd IS2H4C General Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye, on February 18th, hosted by our esteemed partner, IMMIB (Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters’ Association). Over the course of three days, representatives from 34 partners gathered to advance our collective mission: scaling Industrial Symbiosis into Hubs for Circularity (H4C). The event served as a crucial milestone in the project, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, reflecting on completed tasks, and strategic planning for the future.

Day 1: Strategic Overview and Work Package Insights

The first day began with a warm welcome from the General Secretariat of IMMIB and our Project Coordinator, Devrim Yazan. This was followed by a series of insightful presentations covering the progress and future objectives of Work Packages (WPs) 1-5, which include:

• Project Management: Updates on project milestones, administrative processes, and key objectives.
• Technology Development & Technical Aspects: Innovations and advancements in technological solutions for IS and H4C.
• Societal Engagement & Governance: Strategies to enhance stakeholder involvement and regulatory considerations.
• Modelling & Optimisation for Hubs4Circularity: Data-driven approaches to optimize industrial symbiosis networks.
• Business & Financial Models: Economic feasibility and funding mechanisms for sustainable industrial symbiosis.

These discussions laid the groundwork for deeper engagement across all workstreams, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated approaches to achieving IS2H4C’s goals.

Day 2: Circularity Hub Status Reports and Social Network Analysis

The second day focused on status reports from Work Packages 6-8, highlighting the work being carried out at each Hub for Circularity. Hub leaders provided updates on their achievements, challenges, and strategic plans for the coming years. This exchange was instrumental in sharing best practices and addressing common obstacles in implementing IS in H4Cs.

Work Packages 6-8 include:

• Integration and Demonstration in Hubs: Showcasing real-world applications of IS2H4C strategies.
• Digital Collaboration Platform for H4C: Introducing the Alpha version of the platform to support digital engagement in H4C initiatives.
• Dissemination, Communication, and Exploitation: Strengthening outreach efforts and maximizing the project’s impact.

Additionally, a Workshop on Social Network Analysis (WP3) was conducted.  The links between stakeholders in terms of physical resource flows, technology and knowledge sharing, monetary flows, and regulatory relationships have been mapped for four H4C within IS2H4C project. The day concluded with preparations for the upcoming M18 Review Meeting, ensuring alignment on  technical and financial reporting period.

Day 3: Circular Economy Transition in Türkiye and Industry Engagement

The final day featured a workshop on the Circular Economy transition in Türkiye, where IS2H4C was presented to an external audience. Discussions focused on national efforts towards circular economy and industrial symbiosis, highlighting the role of businesses and policymakers in driving change.

We were honoured to have contributions from Zeynep Ozbek from Arçelik and Dr Osman Gokhan Ersoyfrom Ravago Petrokimya, who shared their sustainability initiatives and challenges in transitioning towards a circular economy. Additionally, Assoc. Prof İstemi Berk from Dokuz Eylul University presented insights into the cross-sectoral aspects of IS and CE, shedding light on the interconnected nature of industrial sustainability.

The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Devrim Yazan, featuring all four presenters. This interactive session leveraged audience polling to gain insights into the main drivers, barriers, and enablers of industrial-urban symbiosis and regional circularity. The dynamic exchange fostered solution-oriented discussions on overcoming these challenges and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

Looking Ahead

The 3rd IS2H4C General Assembly in Istanbul reinforced our commitment to advancing industrial symbiosis and scaling Hubs for Circularity across Europe and beyond. The event provided valuable insights, strengthened partnerships, and set the stage for the next phase of our journey.

We extend our gratitude to IMMIB for their exceptional hospitality and to all partners for their contributions. Together, we continue to drive innovation and collaboration towards a more sustainable industrial future.