SYMBIOS Project Kicks Off: Exploring New Synergies for Leather & Agrifood Sectors
Porto (Portugal), 9-10 September, 2025 - COTANCE is proud to announce the launch of SYMBIOS, a new Erasmus+ project exploring industrial symbiosis in the agrifood and leather sectors. The initiative aims to design a replicable model of symbiotic practices that can support Europe’s ecological transition and strengthen the circular economy.
The SYMBIOS consortium will carry out in-depth research on how industrial symbiosis can be applied across the two sectors. This includes examining the regulatory framework, identifying current practices, and assessing future potential. The project will pay particular attention to the agrifood and leather industries, given their importance to the European market.
As one of its main outcomes, SYMBIOS will deliver a digital platform that will:
- inform, train, and support professional development in the Green & Circular Economy.
- сonnect companies and encourage them to collaborate through symbiotic practices.
COTANCE, together with SPIN360, will lead the activities related to the leather sector. This will involve two focus groups to bring together stakeholders from across the leather supply and value chain. COTANCE will also assist in coordinating the surveys, interviews, and a literature review to ensure the project identifies practically applicable practices and real opportunities for synergies.
Beyond research and knowledge-sharing, COTANCE will expand the visibility of SYMBIOS, ensuring that its outcomes resonate with the EU policies and contribute to shaping the sustainability agenda for the sector.
Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, COTANCE Secretary-General: “SYMBIOS comes at a critical time for the leather industry. Industrial symbiosis has the potential to turn sustainability into a shared opportunity, where agrifood and leather move forward together. This project will help us build practical solutions, create connections, and ensure our industry remains a leader in Europe’s green and circular economy.”
Project Partners:
- Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique (UPT) - Portugal
- IATA - CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTÍFICAS - Spain
- COTANCE - France/Belgium
- Cisita Parma scarl - Italy
- SPIN 360 SRL - Italy
- GOSPODARSKA ZBORNICA SLOVENIJE - Slovenia
Contact
For further information, or to express your interest in engaging with the project, please contact Vita Kobiela at