Exploring the Roles of Swedish Actors in the Internationalization of the Nordic Biogas Model

Sammanfattning

This thesis investigates the roles that Swedish actors can play in the internationalization of the Nordic Biogas Model (NBM), and how they can contribute to its adaptation to overcome the existing the barriers in diverse international contexts. The main problem is that the misalignment between the Swedish actors is hindering the export process of the Nordic biogas model. The NBM is a waste-based approach to biogas that integrates energy production, waste management, and nutrient recycling within a circular economy framework. Using a qualitative case study method, the research draws on nine semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including government agencies, technology providers, consultants, financiers, and intermediary actors. The analysis is guided by stakeholder theory, symbiotic internationalization theory, and export promotion theory, and is structured through thematic coding. Findings reveal that Swedish actors are capable of fulfilling a range of complementary roles from system integrators and reference cases to policy ambassadors and project orchestrators. However, the current export landscape is hindered by fragmented responsibilities, feasibility study misalignment, and a lack of long-term project ownership. Successful internationalization of the NBM requires greater coordination, stakeholder alignment, and flexible system packaging. Swedish actors contribute most effectively when they engage in long-term, locally embedded partnerships and co-create context-specific solutions rather than exporting standardized models. The study concludes that a more coherent and adaptive export strategy is essential for realizing Sweden’s global potential in biogas systems.