CIWM research to map future of RDF export market

The research, which is being carried out by consulting firm AMEC E&I and is being supported by Zero Waste Scotland and Environmental Protection Agency Ireland, is due to be completed this summer.

CIWM hopes that the project will provide a detailed analysis of the current export markets for the material, and the extent to which these markets will continue to be used by waste management companies in the short to medium term (5-10 years).

It will also seek to map the future need for the export outlets for waste derived fuels as more capacity for handling the material in the UK is developed.

Refuse derived fuel (RDF) and solid recovered fuel (SRF) are produced by shredding and dehydrating solid waste, and can be burned to produce energy. Companies wishing to export the material are required to notify the Environment Agency of its final destination, to ensure it does not end up in landfill.

Export

Data published by the Agency in February 2013 showed that the amount of waste-derived fuel exported to the continent for incineration had risen threefold in 2012, compared to the previous year.

In total, the figures showed that 892,000 tonnes of RDF and SRF was exported in 2012, significantly higher that the 272,000 tonnes exported during 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Commenting on the project, CIWM chief executive Steve Lee said: The amount of SRF and RDF exported from England and Wales rose by almost 600% between 2010-11 and 2011-12, and with this trend likely to continue, this project is timely and relevant.

Having an accurate assessment of the current situation and the short to medium term outlook will help to ensure that we do not become over-reliant on exports to the detriment of capacity here at home. With Ofgem’s recent warning about the UK’s growing reliance on energy imports, the findings will also inform the wider debate about our future energy security.

Critics have argued that exporting RDF is stifling investment in energy-from-waste infrastructure in the UK. According to the Renewable Energy Association (REA), the high level of export for RDF is due to Europes EfW infrastructure being far ahead of that of the UK. The REA supports greater use of RDF domestically (see letsrecycle.com story).

But, UK-based SRF and RDF producers say that a lack of domestic facilities capable of processing waste derived fuels has driven the spike in the amount of material being sent to the continent.