Exports of refuse-derived fuel from the UK to incinerators in mainland Europe look set to increase apace in 2014, data published by the Environment Agency yesterday (June 5) indicates.
The Agency has for the first time made in-year data publicly available outlining the amount of RDF that has been exported from the UK. It is planned that further data will be made available from the 20th of each month.
And, the data covering January to April 2014 shows that a total of 801,693 tonnes of material was sent overseas from the UK over the first four months of the year. This compares to a total of just over 1.5 million tonnes exported throughout the whole of 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story).
If the export rate continues at the same pace across the year, it is calculated that the total amount sent to EfW facilities overseas could reach as much as 2.4 million tonnes.
Top ten RDF exporters from UK January – April 2014
Meanwhile, the data, which also contains a breakdown of exports by company, shows that SITA UK has maintained its position as the largest exporter of material, sending 120,000 tonnes to the continent in 2014, closely followed by Biffa (116,000 tonnes).
Andusia
Elsewhere Hertfordshire-based Andusia Recovered Fuels has significantly increased its share in the export market, overtaking Shanks, Seneca and New Earth Solutions to become the third largest RDF exporter in 2014 to date.
Commenting on the continued increase of RDF exports from the UK to Europe, Steve Burton, director at Andusia, said: The various factors at play are that landfill has got to a point where export is a more economically viable option. Shipping material to countries like theNetherlands, Germany, France and even the West of Sweden can be done relatively cheaply.
We are also seeing more brokers enter the market, offering companies an outlet for their waste. Companies like ours try to provide all of the services that smaller companies might not have the resources to be able to do so, as well as the consistency of off take throughout the year.
Destinations
The Netherlands continues to be the largest consumer of RDF from the UK, taking in a total 422,000 tonnes to date, although plants in Germany and Sweden also appear to be increasing the amount of fuel that they import from the UK, with the two countries taking a total of 175,000 and 132,000 tonnes respectively.
Largets export markets for UK RDF January – April 2014
Subscribe for free