The application of industrial symbiosis transforming Pasir Gudang towards green industrial park

Abstract

Pasir Gudang, one of the renowned and largest industrial cities in Malaysia envisions being 'Glorious, Sustainable and Prosperous'. In order to attain such status, one of the possible solutions to deal with such challenge is to apply industrial symbiosis concept into the Pasir Gudang Industrial Park, home to major industries of Pasir Gudang today. Industrial symbiosis is an idea that calls for traditionally separate industries in a collective approach to gain competitive advantage through physical exchange of materials, energy, water, by-products and shared use of utility. However, industrial symbiosis is a new topic under discussion in Malaysia. This research aims to explore the concept and examine the influencing factors of industrial symbiosis development. In the research, literatures suggest that a set of complex twelve (12) essential factors are necessary to be considered in developing industrial symbiosis. Furthermore, the research also investigates into the present industrial symbiosis of Pasir Gudang Industrial Park in better understanding for future improvement. This research employs qualitative method and case study approach. During the empirical case study, it involves non-probability purposive sampling technique and structured interview. Twenty five (25) industries from the entire five hundreds (500) industries of Pasir Gudang Industrial Park are selected for this study. The acquired data are examined by adopting material flow analysis and spatial analysis. Consequently, the empirical case study has identified ten (10) categories of symbiotic connections which can be grouped into five (5) dominant industrial symbiosis clusters. However, the present industries among these industrial symbiosis clusters are not organised in the proper spatial cluster form. Drawing from the lessons from best practices and the findings from empirical study, the research also proposes a conceptual spatial model for future industrial symbiosis clustering improvement in Pasir Gudang Industrial Park.