The RDF Industry Group has issued a warning regarding the increasing frequency of both planned and unplanned outages at Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities across the UK. These disruptions are significantly impacting the ability of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) producers to manage supply chains effectively, with consequences for operational efficiency and environmental outcomes.
Industry Alert: Unplanned EfW Shutdowns Disrupt RDF Supply Chain
The RDF Industry Group has issued a warning regarding the increasing frequency of both planned and unplanned outages at Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities across the UK. These disruptions are significantly impacting the ability of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) producers to manage supply chains effectively, with consequences for operational efficiency and environmental outcomes.
Adrian Irvine, Chair of the RDF Industry Group Operations Working Group and Director at ReGen, highlighted the strain on RDF producers:
“The current pattern of outages is putting immense pressure on RDF producers, already struggling with constrained supply chains. Interrupted waste movements are not good for anyone. We need better communication and planning across the sector to ensure continuity and resilience.”
The group has urged decision-makers, including regulators and EfW operators, to engage in dialogue and develop policies that reflect the operational realities of the sector.
At a recent meeting of the RDF Industry Group’s Operations Working Group, members reported that simultaneous planned outages at multiple UK EfW facilities are compounding the issue of European off-takers reducing their demand. RDF producers often rely on both domestic UK EfW facilities and those in northern Europe to provide the ultimate treatment at the end of their complex supply chains.
The reduction in demand is attributed to several factors, including an unusually warm winter, reducing the need for heat. The lack of coordinated closures has resulted in bottlenecks in the system, delaying the return of bonds and forcing some producers to revert to landfill.
In response, the Environment Agency (EA) has temporarily allowed some waste sites in England to exceed their permitted storage limits. However, the RDF Industry Group emphasises that this is not a sustainable solution and calls for more proactive coordination among EfW operators.
Irvine added: “There is a clear need for facility operators to stagger planned outages and improve communication with RDF producers. We must work to coordinate together across the whole market to avoid situations where producers are left with no viable treatment outlet for their material. As things stand, we face a significant increase in waste being landfilled in the UK over the coming months.”
Source: letsrecycle.com
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