Sustainable Potassium Nitrate Production Through Industrial Symbiosis Approach

Héctor Leiva (), María Dolores Mainar-Toledo, Irene González García, David Martinez-Hernandez, Francisca Galindo and Andrés Cubero
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Héctor Leiva: CIRCE—Technology Center for Energy Resources and Consumption, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
María Dolores Mainar-Toledo: CIRCE—Technology Center for Energy Resources and Consumption, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Irene González García: CIRCE—Technology Center for Energy Resources and Consumption, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
David Martinez-Hernandez: CIRCE—Technology Center for Energy Resources and Consumption, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Francisca Galindo: Grupo Fertiberia, 28036 Madrid, Spain
Andrés Cubero: Azcatec Tecnología e Ingeniería (AZCATEC), 41089 Sevilla, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: Industrial symbiosis (IS) plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability within industrial ecosystems by facilitating the exchange of waste, by-products, energy, and resources among different industries. This collaborative approach reduces resource consumption, minimizes waste generation, lowers disposal costs, and creates economic opportunities through synergistic relationships. This study focuses on the production of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) in the Escombreras industrial area in Spain, employing life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCC) to evaluate the impact of IS strategies. The ReCiPe method, implemented through SimaPro software and supported by market data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database, is used for a comparative analysis between conventional KNO 3 production and improved technologies that promote circular economy principles. The LCA and LCC methodologies provide a comprehensive evaluation of both environmental and economic performance, considering key factors influenced by IS synergies. Results demonstrate significant environmental and economic benefits from the integration of IS into KNO 3 production, revealing the potential for improved sustainability and competitiveness through circular economy practices. This research provides valuable insights into how IS can enhance both environmental performance and cost-efficiency in industrial processes. These findings support the integration of IS as a viable pathway toward sustainable and cost-effective fertilizer production.

Keywords: industrial symbiosis; life cycle assessment; life cycle costing; circular economy; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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