Industrial Symbiosis for Sustainable Development: An Integrative Systematic Review Mapping from Case Studies to Practice

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has become an essential approach for achieving sustainable industrial development through inter-firm collaboration aimed at improving resource efficiency and minimizing waste. Rooted in Industrial Ecology (IE) and aligned with Circular Economy (CE) goals, IS enables material, energy, and by-product exchanges that deliver environmental and economic benefits. This study presents a comprehensive review of the global information systems literature, with a specific focus on case studies published between 2010 and 2025. The analysis encompasses publication trends, geographic and sectoral distributions, reported benefits and barriers, as well as methodological approaches. Findings indicate a significant surge in IS-related publications post-2010, with China, North America, and Europe leading global contributions. Within Asia, case studies are heavily concentrated in China, primarily in the mining and quarrying, as well as the manufacturing sectors. Commonly reported benefits include cost savings, waste reduction, and emissions mitigation. Key barriers, however, involve high initial investments, information asymmetries, and regulatory challenges. The paper draws on multiple case studies to identify patterns observed in international practice and develops a conceptual framework that connects the study’s findings with practical implementation. A future research agenda is proposed that emphasizes comparative analyses across continents, governance mechanisms tailored to varied institutional contexts, and digital technologies that can accelerate the identification and coordination of exchanges.