Kalundborg Symbiosis

What Kalundborg Symbiosis does

Kalundborg Symbiosis is a non-profit membership association (forening) founded in 1972 in Kalundborg, Denmark, operating as the world's first and longest-running industrial symbiosis. The secretariat, with approximately 13 staff, coordinates a closed network of 16-17 public and private partner companies — including Novo Nordisk, Novonesis, Ørsted, Kalundborg Refinery, Kalundborg Utility, Kalundborg Bioenergy, APM Terminals, Boehringer Ingelheim, ARGO, Avista Green, ABB, Intertek, Schultz Shipping Group, Saint-Gobain Gyproc, and Unibio — that exchange surplus energy (steam, electricity, district heating, biomethane), water (drinking, surface, treated wastewater, cooling, deionized, flue gas condensate), and materials (yeast cream, NovoGro biomass, sulphur, slag, ethanol waste, straw, lignin, lubricating oil, waste oil) across more than 20 active resource streams. The core operational principle is that a waste stream from one company becomes a resource for another, supported by physical infrastructure including 30+ km of connecting pipes operated by Kalundborg Utility and a 15-meter deepwater terminal operated by APM Terminals since March 2021.

The association generates revenue from annual membership subscriptions (set at the General Meeting, amounts undisclosed) and from paid educational visits and external presentations, with pricing ranging from EUR 800 for small-group guided bus tours to EUR 3,200+ for larger delegations and EUR 1,600/hour for external speaking engagements. Its go-to-market is fundamentally community- and event-driven: the secretariat runs guided tours, hosts international delegations, participates in conferences (e.g., Pacific Northwest Industrial Symbiosis Conference, G20 Social Summit), and disseminates free screening tools and facilitation guides to organizations seeking to replicate the model in Washington State, Oregon, Brazil, and across the Baltic Sea Region via EU- and Interreg-funded projects (Biosolutions Zealand II, GreenIndustrialAreas, VINCIS).

Quantified outcomes from the network include 586,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced annually, 4 million m3 of groundwater saved by substituting surface water, 62,000 tonnes of residual materials recycled annually, an 80% CO2 reduction within the symbiosis since 2015, and CO2-neutral local energy supply. Key 2025-2026 milestones include completing 10 new symbiosis streams within the 2016-2025 strategy, a leadership transition to Bjarke Skaanning as Head of Secretariat, election of Stine Gry Roland (Novo Nordisk) as Chair and Ghita Hansen (Novonesis) as Vice Chair, and adoption of Strategy 2035 in April 2026 with a multi-decade carbon-neutral ambition aligned to Denmark's 70% by-2030 reduction target.

Name

Kalundborg Symbiosis

Legal name

Kalundborg Symbiose

Website

https://symbiosis.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kalundborg Symbiosis is a non-profit membership association, founded in 1972, that coordinates the world's first industrial symbiosis: a network of 16-17 partner companies in Kalundborg, Denmark exchanging surplus energy, water, and materials across 20+ resource streams under a circular production model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Symbiosis Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), All Other Waste Management Services (56299), Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Symbiosis & Byproduct Exchange Platforms (EUAIANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC), Recycling & Materials Recovery Logistics (E-waste, Batteries, Metals, Plastics) (TLAIAHAD)

Keywords

• Industrial symbiosis
• Circular economy partnerships
• Resource exchange network
• Waste-to-resource consulting
• Sustainability facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalundborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Kalundborg Symbiosis is a non-profit membership association. Members pay annual subscriptions set at the General Meeting. The association creates value for members through resource optimization, cost savings, and shared infrastructure, rather than generating traditional revenue. Operating profits are used only to further the Association's objectives.
2. Educational Visits and Presentations: The organization generates revenue through paid visits and presentations. Guided bus tours and educational presentations are offered to companies, universities, and delegations interested in learning about industrial symbiosis. External presentations are provided for events within Denmark.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kalundborg Symbiosis is a non-profit membership association that operates the world's first and leading industrial symbiosis, coordinating a network of 16-17 public and private companies in Kalundborg, Denmark, that share surplus energy, water, and material resources so that one company's waste stream becomes another company's resource. It also provides paid guided educational tours, external presentations, and downloadable knowledge tools (screening tools, facilitation guides) to companies, governments, and delegations interested in implementing industrial symbiosis.

Product overview

Kalundborg Symbiosis is a non-profit membership association that operates as the world's leading industrial symbiosis network. Rather than a software platform, it functions as a facilitation and partnership organization where member companies share surplus resources (energy, water, materials) to create circular production outcomes. The organization provides knowledge-sharing services, educational programs, guided tours, consultation on symbiosis facilitation, and various tools including screening tools and guides for implementing industrial symbiosis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Symbiosis Membership Annual membership subscription for industrial, utility, and municipal companies to join the Kalundborg symbiosis network. Members gain access to the cross-company resource-sharing ecosystem covering energy, water, and material streams, contributing flows and participating in collaborative projects, with membership fees set annually at the General Meeting.
• Guided Educational Bus Tours Paid guided bus tours of up to 2 hours through the Kalundborg industrial symbiosis site for delegations, companies, students, and policymakers. Pricing is tiered by group size: EUR 800 (1-4 persons), EUR 1,600 (5-30 persons), EUR 3,200 (30-50 persons), and by appointment for groups over 50.
• External Presentations One-hour presentations delivered by Kalundborg Symbiosis staff at external events within Denmark, priced at EUR 1,600 per hour including transport to and from the event. Targeted at conferences, companies, and organizations seeking to learn about industrial symbiosis implementation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 586,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced annually through symbiosis operations
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VINCISminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Nordic project developing concept note for incorporating Industrial Symbiosis in vocational education curriculum. Partners include Kalundborg Symbiosis, Teknika, and Linköping University. Erasmus+ funded initiative addressing need for skilled professionals in sustainable industrial practices.
• GreenIndustrialAreasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Interreg Baltic Sea Region project developing transnational certification standard and toolbox for green industrial areas. Partners from Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Sweden. Kalundborg Symbiosis conducts screening of production industries to map resource flows and identify synergy potentials.
• BigadancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bigadan owns and operates Kalundborg Bioenergy. Inaugurated new CO2 facility at Kalundborg Bioenergi in May 2026, creating world's first complete commercial value chain for capture, transport, and permanent storage of biogenic CO2 from biogas. Expected to capture 27,000 tonnes CO2 annually stored in North Sea as part of Project Greensand.
• PRESI (Pathways to Resource Efficiency in Santa Cruz Industries)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Danish Energy Agency funded project exporting industrial symbiosis expertise to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Includes technical screenings, peer-to-peer interactions, and G20 Social Summit participation. Project awarded third place by Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ApexBrasil. PRESI II continuing in 2025.
• Biosolutions Zealand IIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023EU-funded project supporting sustainable biotechnologies and transition to bio-based climate-neutral production. Kalundborg Symbiosis participates in steering committee and SME value chain efforts. Total budget EUR 2,845,916.60. Partners include ministries, regions, and universities across Baltic Sea area.
• Avista GreencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Avista Green is Scandinavia's only waste oil recycling refinery. Re-refines waste oil into high-quality base oil for production of new lubricating oil through environmentally friendly processes. Collaborates with Intertek and Kalundborg Refinery in symbiosis flows.
• IntertekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Intertek operates inspection and testing business in Kalundborg since 1974. Performs testing, inspection, and certification of products from Kalundborg Refinery and Avista Green (gasoline, waste oil, base oil, lubricating oil, diesel, heating oil). Collaborates with two socio-economic entrepreneurs contributing to the symbiosis framework agreement.
• Boehringer IngelheimminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Boehringer Ingelheim has produced feed supplement products (including Bovikalc for dairy cows) in Kalundborg since 1991. 35 employees. Collaborates with Kalundborg Bioenergy to supply discarded materials for biogas production. Recycles residual fractions from pharmaceutical production.
• Saint-Gobain GyprocminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Gyproc produced plasterboards in Kalundborg since early 1970s, pioneering symbiosis by repurposing refinery gas to dry plasterboards. Currently shifting from manufacturing to sales and logistics in Denmark. Receives biomethane from Kalundborg Bioenergy.
• UnibiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Unibio develops protein production technology converting methane into protein raw material for feed. Uses patented U-Loop fermentor technology. Development facility in Kalundborg utilizes biogas supplied by Kalundborg Bioenergy. Technology demonstrated at pilot scale in Kalundborg.
• Schultz Shipping GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Family-owned shipping company since 1926 at historic Kalundborg port. Expanded internationally in 2010 with offices in Aalborg, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Szczecin, Gdansk, Hamburg, and Rostock. Established new logistics center at Ny Vesthavn aligned with Port of Kalundborg's goal for CO2-free terminal.
• Symbiosis Network DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023National network for public and private organizations, knowledge institutions, NGOs, associations, and networks active in sustainable development, green transition, and industrial symbiosis. Led by Kalundborg Symbiosis, Centre for Logistics and Cooperation, and Transition. Creates national symbiotic ecosystem for cross-industry collaboration.
• APM TerminalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021APM Terminals Kalundborg has operated since March 2021 with a 15-meter deepwater basin along a 500-meter quay. Part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, operating in 130+ countries with 100,000+ employees. Provides sustainable logistics solutions supporting industry growth.
• BIOPROcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021BIOPRO creates a world-leading biotech cluster on Zealand. Contributes to research and innovation in Kalundborg Symbiosis through partnership between industry, universities, and regional business environment. Supports increased competitiveness and sustainability through resource optimization.
• Novo NordiskcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Novo Nordisk is a founding member of Kalundborg Symbiosis. The company's production facilities in Kalundborg receive steam from Ørsted and utilize various resource exchanges with other symbiosis partners. Novo Nordisk produces products for treating severe obesity and diabetes, with facilities covering 1,200,000m2 and approximately 3,500 employees.
• NovonesiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Novonesis (formerly part of Novozymes) is a biosolutions company and member of Kalundborg Symbiosis. They produce enzymes for detergents, animal feed, and food applications. Their residual biomass (NovoGro) is used by Kalundborg Bioenergy for biogas production. Approximately 750 employees in Kalundborg.
• ØrstedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Ørsted owns Asnæs Power Plant in Kalundborg, producing steam delivered to Novo Nordisk and Novonesis, electricity for the grid, and district heating. They cooperate with Kalundborg Refinery on flue gas condensate water exchange. The ASV6 biomass block is an important part of the green transition.
• Kalundborg RefinerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Denmark's largest refinery at 107,000 barrels/day processing capacity. Produces gasoline, diesel, propane/butane, fuel oil. Only European refinery converting residual sulphur into liquid fertilizer. Receives biomethane from Kalundborg Bioenergy and cooperates with Ørsted on water exchange. 370 employees.
• Kalundborg UtilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Kalundborg Utility supplies drinking water to 6,150 households, district heating to 5,050 households, treats wastewater for the entire municipality, and supplies surface water to large companies. Operates over 30km of pipes between symbiosis parties. One of Northern Europe's most advanced treatment plants using ozone for pharmaceutical residue removal.
• Kalundborg MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Kalundborg Municipality is a public partner in the symbiosis, providing governance support and participating in resource optimization initiatives. With about 48,000 inhabitants, Kalundborg is a commercial and educational center for northwest coast of Zealand. Home to Denmark's strongest biotech cluster.
• ARGOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972ARGO receives waste from all citizens and businesses in Kalundborg Municipality, including Kalundborg Utility. Sorts recyclable waste into fractions for recycling industry. Prioritizes reuse before recycling, before energy recovery, before landfill. Residual waste energy used for electricity and heat at Roskilde CHP.
• Kalundborg BioenergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Kalundborg Bioenergy is 100% owned by Bigadan. Produces biogas from residual biomass (NovoGro from Novonesis, yeast cream from Novo Nordisk), upgrades to biomethane for Gyproc, Kalundborg Refinery, and natural gas network. Recovers sulphur for fertilizer production.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kalundborgsymbiosis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kalundborg Symbiosis