BOND – Circular Agent starts a mission to make better use of residual streams

Kick-off marks the beginning of new circular connections

During the official kick-off, partners outlined the first steps toward an innovative approach to industrial symbiosis — collaborations in which one company’s residual stream becomes a resource for another. A key element in this approach is the “circular agent”: a facilitator who actively supports companies in identifying concrete and feasible matches across sectors and national borders.

These matches may include plastic residues going to recycling partners, excess heat being reused locally, or organic by-products being used for biogas production.

MNEXT and BWNO begin joint practice-based research

Within the project, MNEXT plays a central role in putting circular collaboration into practice. We are developing a decision-making framework to assess the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of potential residual stream matches. We also test the approach in real-life settings by bringing companies together and developing concrete cases.

MNEXT works closely with the Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart & Nieuw Ondernemerschap (BWNO) at Avans. Both Centres of Expertise conduct practice-based research:

• MNEXT focuses on residual streams, technical feasibility and guiding companies through concrete cases.

• BWNO develops the methodology for cross-sector and cross-border collaboration and strengthens the approach through improved tools and training programmes.

Together, these strengths create an approach that is both scientifically grounded and practically applicable, enabling companies to turn circular opportunities into real-world solutions.

First steps toward 30 circular matches

With the official launch of BOND, the foundation has been laid for intensive collaboration in the border region. In the coming months, companies will be approached to explore promising residual streams and potential matches, after which the first cases will be selected for further development and testing.

The project runs until 2028 and is supported by the Interreg Flanders–Netherlands programme.