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oai:figshare.com:article/32805233 2026-10-01T16:17:16Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Assessing the economic and environmental potential of a regional industrial symbiosis network in the agri-food industry: the case of a Northern Irish dairy processor as a network anchor Vikram Ramakrishnan (24292571) PUREID: 669144011 Circular economy industrial symbiosis material flow analysis process based simulation Industrial Symbiosis Networks (ISNs) are central to circular economy ambitions, yet their practical value depends on both economic, environmental performance and resilience to disruption. This thesis assesses the economic and environmental potential of a regional ISN anchored on a Northern Irish dairy processor and examines how firm-level vulnerabilities and disruptions affect the continuity of symbiotic flows. Using a mixed-method, sequential design, the study combines narrative literature review, industry interviews and site visits with Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and hybrid process-based simulation.<br><br>First, through literature review identified MFA and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) as suitable methods for capturing resource flows and disruption dynamics in ISNs. On this basis, an ISN is designed around a dairy farm and cheese producer linked with an animal farm, anaerobic digester, beer brewery and soap producer. MFA quantified baseline and symbiotic flows, showing that the proposed network can deliver substantial disposal cost avoidance, input substitution and reductions in waste and emissions at firm and regional levels.<br><br>Second, a diagnostic decision-support framework was developed to map multi-level ISN vulnerabilities, classify disruption scenarios and select phase-based mitigation strategies (anticipation, concurrent, recovery) around symbiotic flow continuity. This framework was applied through MFA and demonstrated how specific disruption types compromise whey flows and how targeted strategies can support robustness and resilience of ISN.<br><br>Third, a hybrid DES–Discrete Rate Simulation zooms into dairy farm and cheese operations to visualise ripple effects through changes in whey availability under alternative failure and maintenance conditions leading to disruption scenarios. Results show that well-designed maintenance policies can not only stabilise but marginally enhance symbiotic flows. The thesis concluded with implications for ISN theory, modelling practice and decision-making in agri-food regions seeking to implement robust, resilient ISN.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2031.</i> 2026-10-01T16:17:16Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805233.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Assessing_the_economic_and_environmental_potential_of_a_regional_industrial_symbiosis_network_in_the_agri-food_industry_the_case_of_a_Northern_Irish_dairy_processor_as_a_network_anchor/32805233 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2031-07-31