Review of the project's pilot phase

Franz, naturwind was the project partner responsible for the coordination of the pilot phase. Looking back to last year, what was your key takeaway?

Franz: On the bottom line I would say that stakeholder engagement and strategic planning are two aspects that are critical success factors. In Lübesse, we collaborated closely with local businesses and public authorities to lay a solid foundation for future investments for energy transition. Other partners reported to us that the activation of stakeholders was besides the data collection the most time-consuming task during the pilot phase. Only Kalundborg was able to move ahead quicker since a reliable local network has existed there for years.

Speaking of the Kalundborg Symbiosis, which is often cited as the role model for industrial symbiosis within an industrial area.. Nadejda, how did the industrial area fare when the different criteria of a possible certification as a green industrial area were applied?

Nadejda: The peer review conducted in Kalundborg focused on certification criteria, offering a structured framework to evaluate whether the Kalundborg Symbiosis qualifies as a Green Industrial Area. This assessment provided insights into the Symbiosis’ sustainability efforts, recognizing both achievements and areas for further improvement. The review confirmed significant progress in certain aspects of sustainability, while also identifying ongoing initiatives that require further development.

Could you give an example of future actions for Kalundborg’s industrial area that were recommended?

Nadejda: It’s impossible to overlook the rapid growth of Kalundborg and the increasing need for smarter, more sustainable transport solutions — for both people and goods. As a strong and collaborative partnership, we have come together to establish the Green Transportation Hub Kalundborg — an integrated local infrastructure that will help businesses reduce costs while minimizing their environmental impact in the transport sector.

Is that also a topic that stakeholders in Lübesse aim to address?

Franz: Yes, mobility infrastructure is also a key focus in Lübesse, though with a different approach. Instead of a large-scale transportation hub, we’re exploring alternative mobility concepts to make transportation more flexible, efficient, and sustainable—like using LNG for trucks. Moreover, the strong collaborations among local businesses have led to initial ideas for exchanging various value streams, such as heat and materials. This contributes to both economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. Given the smaller scale of the Lübesse industrial area compared to Kalundborg, setting up specialized hubs wouldn’t be practical, as only a few partners would likely participate.

Other than sustainable mobility, where is the future focus in Lübesse?

Franz: I should mention that our insights are subject to reservation, as we are not directly involved in all processes within the industrial area or with every local stakeholder. However, one major area of focus for the future is the expansion of renewable energies. A particularly exciting development is the progress being made by Lübesse Energie, which is part of the naturwind group, on the realization of a Power-to-Gas plant. This facility will convert renewable energy through electrolysis into green hydrogen, which is then further processed through methanation into methane and LNG. Additionally, the waste heat generated in this process will be integrated into a local heating grid, supporting local cooperation and fostering sustainable value creation within the community.

Is there anything else you have learnt during the pilot phase that should be mentioned?

Franz: One of the key lessons from the pilot phase was recognizing the importance of cooperation and the early involvement of relevant stakeholders—including those who might not initially seem directly connected. Engaging a broad range of participants from the beginning helps to build trust and creates a foundation for long-term collaboration.

Another valuable takeaway was the benefit of involving an area manager. In Lübesse, we had a person who was well-connected and established within the local community. This role was crucial for facilitating communication with companies and other stakeholders, bridging gaps, and ensuring that information flowed smoothly.

Finally, we learned that sustainable development is an ongoing process. While there is still work to be done, significant progress has already been achieved in areas such as renewable energy, heating solutions, alternative green gases, and industrial cooperation. Importantly, the local community is becoming increasingly aware of the potential these developments offer, which is a positive sign for the future.

Nadejda: I completely agree with Franz that sustainable development is an ongoing journey — it’s not something you can achieve through a single project or initiative. At Kalundborg Symbiosis, we’ve been working actively on this for the past ten years, guided by a strategy that included the implementation of ten new sustainability projects by 2025. That strategy is now in place, but our efforts don’t stop there. We continue moving forward on our path toward greater sustainability. It’s also important to emphasize that Kalundborg Symbiosis is a collaboration of 17 different companies, each with its own sustainability goals and development plans. Our role is to support one another in this process, because while it’s not always easy, it’s certainly easier — and far more effective — when we work together toward a more sustainable future.

Thank you both!

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