The EU has launched a new initiative called LOCIMAP (Low Carbon Industrial Manufacturing Parks) to help revitalize and drive the competitive growth of Europe's low carbon industrial base. The project aims to bring together leading manufacturers and parks across the EU to identify practical paths for Europe to grow a revitalized low carbon industrial base. The project will focus on achieving increased efficiency in energy and material use, as well as lower emissions. The consortium includes 14 partners covering a significant part of the EU's energy-intensive industry. The project also plans to keep European citizens informed about the opportunities for a sustainable Europe.
On the 23rd of January the EU kicked off a critical new initiative to help revitalise and drive the competitive growth of Europe’s low carbon industrial base. LOCIMAP – the Low Carbon Industrial Manufacturing Parks project – is a response to the growing challenge faced by many European manufacturing businesses which increasingly compete against developed and developing economies benefiting from access to low-cost energy to produce their global goods and services.
Against this backdrop, LOCIMAP will bring together leading manufacturers and parks across the EU, and supported with the best technical and business know-how available, the project will identify the practical paths which Europe can take to grow a revitalised low carbon industrial base. A major objective is to achieve much closer integration in manufacturing complexes so they can operate at increased efficiency both of energy and material use, and with lower emissions.
Industrial parks were developed originally in Europe to make best use of local resources – and they continue to play an important role in wealth creation.. However, depletion of primary energy sources in Europe allied to rising cost and regulatory pressures on all manufacturers, especially energy intensive ones, are increasing the need for businesses to look for new ways of operating. Industrial parks often host such “heavy” industrial operations and need to find new business models if they are to continue to provide their vital economic contribution and to attract new investment. The products of the parks are essential for developing a low carbon economy in Europe – without their contribution none of the sustainable products we need to build a low carbon future can be made. With their original raison d’être, parks possess the technology, skills and the infrastructure to re-invent themselves and provide Europe with a needed competitive boost. This is essential in the face of increasing competition from the lower cost energy base enjoyed by competing regions – the unexpectedly rapid impact of unconventional gas on US energy costs is the most recent example of the changing global scene against which EU industry needs to be able to react.
New approaches and models for integrated parks of the future over the next 10-20 years will come from the project. These will be invaluable to policy makers across the EU as they struggle with practical responses to the global challenges outlined.
At the same time, the industrial parks which are participating in the project will benefit from understanding how they can improve their own situation and learn from the leading example of Kalundborg (DK) where business economics have driven the development of a sustainable and low carbon industrial system. This arrangement is even more noteworthy because the local community benefits strongly by accessing the heat and power raised in the industrial activity and taking it for use in domestic situations.
With increasing environmental awareness among European Citizens, the project plans to keep them up to speed by dedicating part of the project website (www.locimap.eu) to their needs and interests, as well as ensuring industry understands the opportunities the project identifies.
Over the next 2 years the 14 strong consortium will be looking to spread the word about the opportunities for Europe’s industrial parks and making sure they remain at the heart of a sustainable EU manufacturing industry. A dedicated website www.locimap.eu will make sure the European public understand the opportunities for a sustainable Europe which emerge. The consortium includes the following partners who cover a significant part of the EU’s energy intensive industry :
- North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) as Project Coordinator www.nepic.co.uk representing the process industry in the north east region of the UK.
- BASF Espanola SL – as operators of a large petrochemical complex (www.basf.com).
- Cemex UK Limited – a leading cement manufacturer (www.cemex.com).
- European Chemical Site Promotion Platform (ECSPP) – promoting the interests of European Chemical Sites (www.ecspp.org).
- Institut Européen D’Administration Des Affaires (INSEAD) – one of Europe’s leading business schools ( www.insead.edu).
- IVL Svenska Miljoeinstitutet AB – a prominent environmental research institute (www.ivl.se).
- Kalundborg Kommune – a leading example of industrial symbiosis in action (www.kalundborg.dk)
- Kokkola Industrial Park – a major industrial park in Finland specialising in inorganic chemistry (www.kip.fi)
- Link2Energy Ltd – a specialist company focused on resource innovation and industrial symbiosis (www.link2energy.co.uk).
- Papiertechnische Stiftung – the leading research body in Paper and Pulp manufacture based in Germany (www.ptspaper.de).
- Parsons Brinckerhoff Sp. z o.o. – a major engineering consultant operating across Europe (www.pbworld.com).
- Semcorp Utilities (UK) Ltd – a multinational owner and operator of industrial parks including the UK’s largest petrochemical park (www.sembcorp.com).
- Terreal SAS - one of Europe’s most innovative clay products manufacturers (www.terreal.com).
- VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut GmbH – leading the development of Iron & Steel manufacturing technology in Germany (www.bfi.de).
For further information please contact:
Mark Lewis
LOCIMAP Project Coordinator
North East Process Industry Cluster
Room H224, Wilton Centre
Redcar, TS10 4RF
Tel: +44 (0)1642 442560
Fax: +44 (0)1642 442561
Email: mark.lewis@nepic.co.uk
Issued on behalf of the consortium by ECSPP. The European Chemical Site Promotion Platform (ECSPP) was launched in September 2005 by leading European chemical site management organisations to promote awareness about chemical investment opportunities in Europe, primarily through its one-stop web portal www.ecspp.org.