CLEAN

Their core work

CLEAN is a Danish industry cluster focused on cleantech, connecting SMEs and companies working on energy efficiency, resource optimization, and industrial symbiosis. They facilitate cross-sector collaboration between food production, energy, and water sectors to reduce waste and improve resource use at industrial sites and eco-parks. Their work bridges the gap between clean technology providers and industries seeking practical sustainability solutions, particularly in building renovation, food value chains, and district-level energy sharing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CLEAN's earliest H2020 involvement (REFURB, 2015) focused narrowly on building energy renovation. By 2018-2023, their work broadened significantly toward industrial symbiosis, food-energy-water nexus optimization, and cross-sector cluster facilitation (VIDA, R-ACES). The shift suggests a move from single-sector energy efficiency toward systemic resource optimization across multiple industries.

CLEAN is moving toward facilitating industrial symbiosis ecosystems where energy, water, and materials are shared across co-located industries — a growing priority in EU Green Deal funding.

How they like to work

CLEAN participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for cluster organizations that bring network access and SME mobilization rather than deep technical research. With 34 unique partners across 11 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia. This signals an organization that adds value through its network reach and ability to connect SMEs with project activities.

Despite only 3 projects, CLEAN has built a network of 34 partners across 11 countries, reflecting their role as a cluster organization that thrives on broad European connections. Their partnerships span Northern and Western Europe with a likely Nordic emphasis given their Danish base.

What sets them apart

CLEAN operates at the intersection of cleantech clustering and industrial symbiosis — they don't develop technology themselves but connect the SMEs that do with the industries that need it. For consortium builders, CLEAN offers ready access to a curated network of Danish and Nordic cleantech SMEs across energy, food, and water sectors. Their cluster model means a single partnership opens doors to dozens of member companies.

Highlights from their portfolio

• R-ACES
  Directly targets industrial symbiosis at eco-parks — a topic gaining major traction under the EU Green Deal and circular economy agenda.
• VIDA
  Bridges food production with energy and water resource efficiency, demonstrating CLEAN's ability to work across the food-energy-water nexus.