Journal of Cleaner Production 12 (2004) 1037–1045 www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro On the industrial ecology potential in Asian Developing Countries
Anthony S.F. Chiu a,Ã, Geng Yong b a b

Graduate School of Business, De La Salle University, Tatt Avenue, Manila, Philippines
Institute for Eco-planning and Development, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China

Abstract
This paper focuses on the current situation in the adaptation and adoption of industrial ecology in Asian Developing Countries
(ADCs). The objective of this paper is to consider the possibilities to develop an eco-industrial development (EID) strategy for these developing countries. We review the regional indigenous resources of ADCs and use the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) grouping to classify the preconditions of industrial ecology in ADCs. The authors of this paper argue that unlike the usual way of applying industrial ecology as a technical tool or a practical instrument, ADCs need to adopt industrial ecology as a strategic vision and as a strategic approach to plan the economic, social and ecological development of their national economies. In this way, it can be possible for the ADCs to avoid the same problems that occurred when the developed countries experienced industrialization and rapid economic growth, and move toward more sustainable development.
# 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Industrial ecology; Eco-industrial development; Eco-industrial park; Sustainable development; Strategic planning

1. Introduction
The economy of the Asian Developing Countries
(ADCs) is the largest in the developing world. The
Asian economy has experienced the most rapid increase of its history during the last two decades. However, as with economic growth of the entire industrial world, this increase has generated severe environmental