The data shows an increase of around 60,000 tonnes over January to April 2016 to a total of 276,549 tonnes compared to 208,745 tonnes in the same period last year, suggesting that the UK market is continuing to grow in response to demands for the waste from the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia.
An increasing number of countries are becoming destinations for RDF from the UK with, for example, 12,083 tonnes going to Cyprus in the first four months of 2016.
Companies
Companies such as Biffa and Suez continue to be the leading company exporters, according to the data. Other major exporters include: Andusia Recovered Fuels, New Earth Solutions and Shanks Waste Management.
The overall tonnage exported throughout the whole of 2015 reached a new high – closing in on the three million tonnes mark – although the data also suggested at the time that the level of year-on-year growth was starting to slow.
Some involved with RDF exports consider that while exports are currently showing an increase, the total for 2016 could end up being around the same or slightly less than last year’s total export of three million tonnes. This is in part, some operators claim, because excess energy from waste capacity on the continent is reducing and so outlets for extra material for the UK are becoming harder to find.
Development
However, other operators consider that the market will continue to expand with the development of more RDF and also SRF – solid recovered fuel – plants across parts of the EU.
Steve Burton, director of RDF exporter Andusia Recovered Fuels, told letsrecycle.com that he believes that even if the UK voted for ‘Brexit’, leaving the European Union would have no impact on the RDF market.
He said: “The trading arrangements have been in place for a number of years. My company has been signing long-term contracts and therefore I don’t expect there to be any change or threat to the RDF market if the UK leaves the European Union.”
However, Stuart Rain, the director of Probio Energy, said the total export figure for this year could depend on what kind of start to the 2016/2017 winter that the Scandinavian countries have.
He said: “If they don’t have the cold weather then these countries will cut back on demand. In the last few years they haven’t had the coldest of winters.”
Subscribe for free