There was an extraordinary six-fold rise in the amount of waste wood which was exported for recycling and energy recovery last year, according to the Wood Recyclers Association.
The association has published its annual Waste Wood to Market statistics for 2010 which show that WRA members export figures shot up from 83,000 tonnes in 2009 to 540,000 tonnes in 2010. This confirms the rapid increase in material being sent abroad reported by letsrecycle.com in November last year (see letsrecycle.com story).
Of the 2010 figure, 377,000 tonnes was destined for biomass plants on the continent, compared with only 71,000 tonnes the previous year. The WRA said that this situation is expected to be relatively short-term, pending the commissioning of several large UK biomass plants.
Meanwhile, the WRA said that the sharp rise in panel-board grade exports, to 163,000 tonnes from only 12,000 tonnes in 2009, reflected supply shortages to certain European countries.
UK
The WRA figures also show that, for the industry as a whole, including companies who are not WRA members, the overall output of recycled wood to UK markets rose by a steady 6.6%.
This represents an improvement on the 4% growth reported between 2009 and 2010.Biomass and animal bedding represented the two biggest growth markets, with wood sent to these markets increasing year-on-year by 11% and 8% respectively (see table below).
WRA members again increased their market share, accounting for almost 82% of wood chip supplied within the UK. In 2009, they accounted for 81% of the market. Taking UK and overseas markets together, the output of WRA member companies rose 27% between 2009 and 2010. WRA membership now stands at 78, of which56 companies recycle wood.
WRA chairman Clem Spencer said: The WRA is delighted with these figures. Membership of our Association has risen sharply in the past 18 months, and the addition of so many new members is reflected in this excellent result, achieved in the teeth of a major recession. The WRA share of the market increased from 75% to 81% in 2009, and membership continues to grow strongly. I believe that the case for wood recyclers to join our Association is now more compelling than ever.
These increasesalso reflect the tremendous efforts of Defra, the environment agencies, WRAP and civic amenity sites, in addition to wood recyclers, to divert significant tonnages away from landfill.
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The rapid growth in biomass grade is perhaps even greater than we had anticipated at this stage.The real surge lies ahead, as more large installations come on line.Until that happens, we are exporting to divert surpluses away from landfill. When the surge comes, the demand for recycled wood supplies will then be intense, but we will continue to support our valued existing customers.
WOOD RECYCLERS’ ASSOCIATION WASTE WOOD TO MARKET STATISTICS 2010
(in thousand tonnes. 2009 figures in brackets)
| WRA (1) | % Change | Others (2) | % change | Total | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel board | 905 (856) | +6% | 214(209) | +2% | 1119(1065) | +5% |
| Animal/poultry bedding | 316(280) | +13% | 75 (80) | -6% | 391 (360) | +8% |
| Equine surfaces | 62(60) | +3% | 15(15) | +0% | 77(75) | +3% |
| Mulches, soil conditioners and composting |
70(77) | -9% | 25 (21) | +19% | 95 (98) | -3% |
| Pathways and coverings | 13 (16) | -8% | 4 (2) | +100% | 17 (18) | -5% |
| Biomass/energy | 471 (423) | +11% | 80 (72) | +11% | 551 (495) | +11% |
| Totals | 1837 (1712) | +7.3% | 413 (399) | +3.5% | 2250 (2111) | +6.6% |
In addition, WRA members exported 540,000 tonnes of which 377,000 tonnes were destined for biomass and 163,000 for panel board.
Notes
1. All WRA tonnages supplied by members
2. Other figures estimated except for panel board.
3. Total figure supplied by the WPIF.
Source: WRA
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