The report “Outcomes of the Discussions in the Second Round of Expert Groups” summarises expert insights into the current state of industrial symbiosis, industrial-urban symbiosis and the circular economy in Europe. Drawing on interviews, webinars and discussions held during the final event of the H4C Community of Practice projects, it identifies the main barriers preventing pilot projects from progressing to large-scale investment.
Key challenges include insufficient infrastructure development, unstable regulatory frameworks, fragmented funding, limited access to capital, non-harmonised waste regulations and weak societal support. High operating costs and uncertainty about long-term market conditions further hinder investment in sustainable solutions.
The report also presents lessons from webinars on wastewater reuse, circular hubs and plastics recycling. These examples highlight the importance of coordinated governance, stakeholder collaboration, supportive policies and demand-driven recycling systems. Overall, the findings underline the need for stronger alignment between policy, investment, infrastructure and industrial actors to accelerate the development of Hubs4Circularity across Europe.
Access the full document here
