Skills Alliance for Industrial Symbiosis (SPIRE)

This initiative, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, brings together stakeholders from the SPIRE Community (Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency), who join efforts to support the global competitiveness of the EU process industry, and contribute to the development of energy-efficient technical solutions and products. 

SPIRE aims to boost investments in Europe and influence the employment and welfare landscape in a positive way. Another objective of this public-private partnership is to enable and accelerate the uptake of industrial symbiosis and energy efficiency through a comprehensive cross-sectorial plan, detailing the future skills needs of 10 sectors in the process industry. SPIRE brings together cement, ceramics, chemicals, engineering, minerals and ores, non-ferrous metals, pulp and paper, refining, steel and water sectors throughout the EU member states. 

The initiative a searchable funding database for members, information on skills and qualifications, upskilling programmes, educational modules, and digital tools. SPIRE's project repository provides access to good practices and reports from a variety of technical projects, from artificial intelligence and big data application to energy-efficient technologies, enabling the green transition.  

With this approach, SPIRE aims to foster the development of best practices and innovative technological solutions in the process industry throughout the different value chains.