Conversion to a Circular Industry : Success and limiting factors to convert Högdalen Industrial Area into an eco-industrial park

Abstract: The concept of eco-industrial parks is a way to minimize environmental impact and resource use from an industrial area, and in this study the concept is applied to Högdalen industrial area in Stockholm. An interview study has been conducted with key actors in the area, which found for instance that there were a good cooperation will among the actors and some material and energy exchanges occurring. This was then compared to a literature study of the limiting and success factors of the development of an eco-industrial parks. A quarter of the identified factors were determined to have good prospects, a fifth was partly fulfilled, a fifth had bad prospects, a fifth was unknown and 15 % was unknown but relevant to uncover in this stage of development.  For the future, it is suggested that: more interviews should be done with more actors in the area, Cleantech Högdalen should change focus to develop an eco-industrial park, more energy and material flows should be mapped and to gather information of unknown and relevant factors. The conclusion of this study is that there is potential to develop Högdalen Industrial Area into an eco-industrial park but there are some knowledge gaps about the quantitative minimization of resources and environmental impact.