The philosophy behind the Symbiosis is that the six companies: DONG ENERGY Asnæs Power Station, the plasterboard factory Gyproc A/S, the pharmaceutical plant Novo Nordisk A/S, the enzyme producer Novozymes A/S, the oil refinery Statoil-Hydro A/S, the recycling company RGS 90 A/S as well as the waste company Kara/Noveren I/S and Kalundborg Municipality - exploit each other's residual or by-products on a commercial basis.

One company's by-product becomes an important resource to one or several of the other companies. The outcome is reduced consumption of resources and a significant reduction in environmental strain.

The collaborating partners also benefit financially from the co-operation because the individual agreement within the Symbiosis is based on commercial principles