Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Size
| Study Period | 2019-2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 20.84 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 27.29 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 5.54 % |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Analysis
The Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size is estimated at USD 20.84 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 27.29 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.54% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Over the medium term, factors such as the increasing amount of waste generation, growing concern for waste management to meet the need for sustainable urban living, and rising focus on non-fossil fuel sources of energy are likely to drive the demand for waste-to-energy in the region.
On the other hand, the market growth is expected to be restrained by the expensive nature of incinerators, as energy prices decline and several plants cannot cover operating costs. Furthermore, several European countries plan to focus more on recycling, which saves three to five times more energy, thus restraining the waste-to-energy market.
Nevertheless, the emerging waste-to-energy technologies, such as Dendro Liquid Energy (DLE), which is four times more efficient in electricity generation, with additional benefits of no emission discharge and effluence problems at plant sites, are expected to create significant opportunities for the market players over the forecast period.
Germany dominated the market across Europe. An increase in municipal waste energy plants and rapid urbanization in the country drive growth.
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Trends
Thermal-based Waste-to-Energy Segment to Dominate the Market
- In the thermal process, waste is treated to generate heat, which is used to generate energy or produce fuel oil or syngas from organic and inorganic wastes. Further, the thermal process may involve combustion, pyrolysis, thermal gasification, or plasma arc gasification.
- Incineration is the most well-known WtE technology for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) processing in the present scenario. Gasification and pyrolysis processes produce combustible synthetic gas (syngas) that can either be used to generate electricity or further be refined and upgraded for direct generation in a gas turbine or engine. The electrical efficiency rate from incineration is usually higher than that from gasification due to lower operating temperatures, steam pressure, and overall energy required to run the plant. It is estimated that plants that utilize cogeneration of thermal power (heating and cooling), together with electricity generation, can reach an optimum efficiency of 80%.
- WtE technologies, particularly incineration, produce pollution and carry potential health safety risks. The following air emissions are associated with incineration facilities - metals, organics, acid gases, particulates, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These incinerators have been highly scrutinized by NGO activists, public health agencies, and the general public and influenced the legislators to impose stricter limits on emissions. To reduce particulate and gas-phase emissions, incineration plant owners have adopted a series of process units for cleaning the flue gas stream, and this has, in turn, led to a significant improvement in terms of environmental sustainability.
- Gasification of waste produces reduced emissions per unit of the generated power, compared to both incineration and landfilling. If focused on the number of pollutant emissions per unit of treated waste, gasification is the preferred option, while incineration is considered to be the most harmful.
- Thermal technology continues to dominate the waste-to-energy market in Europe, accounting for a major share of the market. Recent developments in incineration and gasification technology are one of the essential factors driving the waste-to-energy market in Europe.
- In recent years, Italy has also been witnessing progress in WtE incineration facilities integrated with other technologies in the country to meet the demands of recycling or recovering energy. For instance, in February 2023, Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. announced that its subsidiary NextChem was awarded a feasibility study by the Foresight Group for a carbon capture (CC) and sustainable methanol synthesis plant in the ETA Manfredonia waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Puglia, a Southeastern Italian region. Upon completion of the study, the successful finalization of the permitting process, and the following final investment decision, the execution of the engineering and construction phases will be carried out by Maire Tecnimont Group.
- According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the total municipal waste energy installed capacity in Europe stood at around 5134 MW in 2022, which witnessed a growth of 2.37% from the previous year.
- Thus, due to the abovementioned factors, thermal-based waste-to-energy conversion is expected to lead the market. The rising urban population contributes to increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) in Europe.
Germany is Expected to be the Fastest-growing Market
- Germany is among the most populous and a leading economy in Europe. The rapid urbanization in the country has led to increased electricity demand, thereby leading to notable investment in new energy generation plants. Moreover, the electricity consumption in Germany is set to rise from around 546.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022 to 880 TWh in 2040, which is likely to provide opportunities for WtE plants in the coming years. However, the growing renewable power sources such as solar and wind are likely to be significant power sources in the future. They are anticipated to decrease the purpose of WtE incineration.
- In 2022, around 46% of the total electricity in Germany was produced by renewable energy, which is in line with the country's recent aim of renewable power generation to account for 80% of its energy mix by 2030, as it abandons nuclear power and aims to reduce most of its coal generation. Moreover, Germany aims to reach climate neutrality by 2045 and achieve negative greenhouse gas emissions after 2050. To achieve its ambitious targets, Germany is likely to advance emission reductions in all sectors, including the power industry. Though the WtE technologies make use of the waste and generate useful energy, incineration is likely to remain a contributor to the CO2 emitter. This is likely to make WtE incineration projects less attractive in the future.
- Nevertheless, Germany has seen a notable development in waste-to-energy incineration over the past years, and the country dominated the market across the European region. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the municipal waste-to-energy installed capacity in Germany stood at around 1068 MW in 2022, which is one of the highest in Europe. However, it saw no change from the previous year.
- Moreover, biomass wastes can be converted into clean energy and fuels by various technologies, ranging from conventional combustion processes to state-of-the-art thermal depolymerization technology. Excluding recovery of substantial energy, these technologies can lead to a significant reduction in the general waste quantities needing final disposal, which can be better managed for safe disposal in a controlled manner while meeting pollution control standards.
- According to the Federal Network Agency, as of 2022, there were 14,922 biomass power plants across Germany. This figure denotes a peak in the number of biomass power plants in the country.
- Further, in Germany, geothermal power has also been explored along with the waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. For example, in May 2023, the waste-to-energy plant in the town of Geiselbullach in the municipality of Olching in Bavaria, Germany, is aiming to tap into geothermal resources to provide an alternative source for the existing district heating network. This is based on an application filed by Gemeinsames Unternehmen für Abfallwirtschaft (GfA), the joint municipal company for waste management, to search for geothermal resources on its property.
- Therefore, factors such as the increasing amount of waste generated and increasing waste-to-energy plants in Germany during the forecast period may drive the market in the country.
Europe Waste-to-Energy Industry Overview
The European waste-to-energy (WtE) market is moderately fragmented. Some of the major players operating in the market (in no particular order) include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Martin GmbH, A2A SpA, Veolia Environnement SA, and Hitachi Zosen Corp., among others.
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Leaders
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
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Martin GmbH
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A2A SpA
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Veolia Environnement SA
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Hitachi Zosen Corp.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market News
- September 2022: Fortum announced expanding its UK-based operations and is starting to develop a new WtE plant in Scotland. The market entry is a vital step forward in the company's ambition to transform the WtE sector with its novel Carbon2x concept, which already concluded the first round of pilot testing. The concept aimed to capture emissions from waste incineration and turn them into useful CO2-based, high-quality raw materials. Moreover, the Carbon2x will help reduce the dependence on fossil-based raw materials, improve Europe's self-sufficiency, and decarbonize waste incineration.
- July 2022: The mayor of Rome, to whom the government assigned regional waste management until 2026, announced the construction of an incinerator within the city for all unsorted waste, expected to account for 43% of all waste by 2026 without prior treatment dealing with such by burning it rather treating it as non-recoverable waste.
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Scope of the Study
- 1.2 Market Definition
- 1.3 Study Assumptions
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4. MARKET OVERVIEW
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Market Size and Demand in USD billion, till 2029
- 4.3 Recent Trends and Developments
- 4.4 Government Policies and Regulations
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4.5 Market Dynamics
- 4.5.1 Drivers
- 4.5.1.1 Government Focus on Waste Management
- 4.5.1.2 Decline in Fossil-fuel based Electricity Generation
- 4.5.2 Restraints
- 4.5.2.1 High Price of Incinerators and Decline in Energy Price of Other Renewable Energy Sources
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4.6 Supply Chain Analysis
- 4.6.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Consumers
- 4.6.4 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.6.5 Threat of Substitutes Products and Services
- 4.6.6 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
- 5.1 Thermal
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5.2 Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/europe-generator-sets-market
- 5.2.1 Physical
- 5.2.2 Biological
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5.3 Country
- 5.3.1 Germany
- 5.3.2 United Kingdom
- 5.3.3 Italy
- 5.3.4 France
- 5.3.5 Spain
- 5.3.6 Nordic Countries
- 5.3.7 Turkey
- 5.3.8 Russia
- 5.3.9 Rest of Europe
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
- 6.2 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 Hitachi Zosen Corp
- 6.3.2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
- 6.3.3 Martin GmbH
- 6.3.4 A2A SpA
- 6.3.5 Veolia Environnement SA
- 6.3.6 Suez SA
- 6.3.7 Wheelabrator Technologies
- 6.3.8 STEAG Energy Services GmbH
- *List Not Exhaustive
- 6.4 Market Ranking/Share Analysis
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
- 7.1 Adoption of Advanced and Environmentally Sustainable WTE Techniques such as Gasification for Energy and Anaerobic Digestion
Europe Waste-to-Energy Industry Segmentation
Waste is any substance or unwanted material that results from any human activity or process. Municipal solid waste generation rates are influenced by economic development, the degree of industrialization, public habits, and local climate. As a general trend, the higher the economic development, the higher the amount of municipal solid waste generated. Waste-to-energy is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat through the primary treatment of waste or processing of the same into a fuel source. The technology used for this process includes physical, thermal, and biological technologies.
The European waste-to-energy market is segmented by technology and geography. By technology, the market is segmented into physical, thermal, and biological. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the waste-to-energy market across major countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and the rest of Europe.
For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on revenue (USD).
| Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/europe-generator-sets-market | Physical |
| Biological | |
| Country | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| Italy | |
| France | |
| Spain | |
| Nordic Countries | |
| Turkey | |
| Russia | |
| Rest of Europe |
Europe Waste-to-Energy Market Research FAQs
How big is the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market?
The Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size is expected to reach USD 20.84 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 5.54% to reach USD 27.29 billion by 2029.
What is the current Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size?
In 2024, the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size is expected to reach USD 20.84 billion.
Who are the key players in Europe Waste-to-Energy Market?
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Martin GmbH, A2A SpA, Veolia Environnement SA and Hitachi Zosen Corp. are the major companies operating in the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market.
What years does this Europe Waste-to-Energy Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size was estimated at USD 19.69 billion. The report covers the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Europe Waste-to-Energy Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Europe Waste-to-Energy Industry Report
The report covers Waste-to-Energy companies in Europe, providing a comprehensive market overview segmented by technology and country. The market segmentation includes physical, thermal, and biological technologies, with specific insights into Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and the rest of Europe. The market forecast offers detailed market predictions and market outlook, projecting growth rate and industry sales over the forecast period.
The industry analysis highlights market leaders and industry trends, focusing on market growth and market value. The market data and industry statistics are presented based on revenue, providing a market review and industry information essential for stakeholders. The report example and report PDF offer a deep dive into the market size, market share, and market segmentation, ensuring a thorough understanding of the market dynamics.
The industry reports and industry research sections provide valuable insights into market forecast and market overview, emphasizing the importance of market predictions and industry outlook. The research companies involved in the study contribute to a robust industry analysis, ensuring that the market report is comprehensive and informative.
The market report also includes a detailed market analysis, exploring the factors driving market growth and the challenges faced by the industry. The market trends identified in the report are crucial for understanding the future direction of the Waste-to-Energy market in Europe. The report PDF is available for download, offering a convenient way to access the market data and industry research.
In summary, this report provides a detailed market overview, industry trends, and market forecast for the Waste-to-Energy market in Europe. It includes comprehensive industry information, market segmentation, and market value analysis, making it an essential resource for stakeholders looking to understand the market dynamics and future growth prospects.
