In today’s business landscape, resource efficiency is no longer optional but essential. Industrial symbiosis, where the waste stream of one enterprise becomes a resource for another, offers a practical pathway to achieving this. The approach not only reduces waste but also creates economic and environmental value by linking industries in mutually beneficial exchanges of materials, energy, water, and by-products. Although still emerging in South Africa, industrial symbiosis has steadily gained traction over the past decade. Much of this progress can be attributed to the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC), which has positioned itself as a key driver of circular economy practices.
The concept of industrial symbiosis traces its roots to the global sustainability agenda. At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, nations pledged to explore innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This commitment led to the establishment of cleaner production centres across developing countries, and in 2002, South Africa launched the NCPC following the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg. Initially focused on promoting cleaner production, the NCPC expanded its mandate in 2015 with the introduction of the Industrial Symbiosis Programme (ISP). What began as a pilot partnership with a UK-based organisation has since grown into a national initiative
At its core, the ISP functions as a facilitator. Many companies operate in silos, unaware of potential synergies with other businesses. The NCPC bridges this gap by using a data-driven system to identify waste streams with potential value and then linking them to industries that can use them as raw materials. Once a possible exchange is identified, NCPC engages both parties to explore supply volumes, pricing, logistics, and compliance requirements. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which hosts the NCPC, provides technical expertise and testing facilities to ensure safety and quality standards.
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“For us, it is essential that all participants operate within regulations and that hazardous materials are carefully managed,” notes Dune. “Beyond facilitation, we provide guidance, training, and ongoing monitoring to ensure these synergies are safe, compliant, and sustainable.” This structured process ensures that industrial symbiosis is not only environmentally sound but also economically viable. Reporting is an important component: data on volumes exchanged, costs saved, and emissions reduced is collected and shared, giving businesses tangible evidence of the benefits.
The ISP’s results underscore its value. To date, the NCPC has facilitated the diversion of over 518,000 tonnes of waste from landfills, avoiding approximately 1.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. These outcomes demonstrate that circularity can yield measurable environmental and financial benefits. The success stories include enterprises such as TNK Greenhouse, a small business in Mpumalanga. With NCPC support, the company began converting agricultural biowaste into biochar briquettes, providing a cleaner alternative to coal. Within nine months, TNK Greenhouse diverted 577 tonnes of waste, mitigated 160 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and realised savings of R27,000. According to TNK, the NCPC played an instrumental role: “They provided the technical tools, testing, and mentorship that allowed us to grow while meeting quality standards and maintaining key business relationships.”
The ISP aligns closely with South Africa’s policy framework. Circular economy principles are embedded in the National Waste Management Strategy, and industrial symbiosis is recognised as a practical mechanism for implementation. Through an agreement with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment, the NCPC shares reporting data to inform national planning. Provincial governments are also key partners, providing regional insights and data on waste streams. Memoranda of understanding formalise these collaborations, ensuring that local and national priorities are aligned.
The example of TNK Greenhouse illustrates how industrial symbiosis supports small enterprises, but the model has implications across industries. By reducing reliance on landfills, cutting emissions, and creating new markets for secondary resources, the ISP is helping build a more resilient and competitive industrial base. As Dune notes, the broader goal is to embed circularity as standard business practice: “Industrial symbiosis is about changing the way industries think. Waste should no longer be seen as an endpoint, but as the beginning of new value chains.”
Industrial symbiosis remains a growing practice in South Africa, but its momentum is undeniable. By combining technical expertise, facilitation, and policy alignment, the NCPC is proving that sustainability and profitability can advance together. With continued expansion across provinces, the ISP is set to play a defining role in South Africa’s transition to a circular economy—one where collaboration, efficiency, and innovation replace linear, wasteful models of the past.
