Comparison of industrial symbiosis indicators through agent-based modeling

The validation of environmental impact indicators is a prerequisite for professionals and brokers in charge of Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs). In the specific case of industrial symbiosis indicators, this task is particularly challenging owing to the inherent difficulty in obtaining series of real data of consequence for the small number of EIPs and large number of organizations. Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) emerges as a technique to support EIP simulations. This work endorses the use of the ABM technique to validate indicators of industrial symbiosis through the construction of a model that simulates an EIP, which is then evaluated by applying three indicators: the Industrial Symbiosis Indicator (ISI) of Felicio et al. (2016) and the Eco-Connectance and By-product and Waste Recycling Rate indicators of Tiejun (2010). The model was able to calculate the three indicators and identify conditions where their performances are equal or with misleading information regarding industrial symbiosis evolution. It supports the validation of industrial symbiosis indicators and demonstrates that the indicator by Felicio et al. (2016) is more robust for turbulent periods of industrial ecosystem environments.