Waste To Energy Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Technology (Thermal, Biological), By Offering (Solutions, Services) And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The waste to energy market is evaluated at US$32.127 billion for the year 2020, growing at a CAGR of 5.92% reaching a market size of US$48.053 billion by the year 2027. Waste to energy refers to a process in which energy is generated in the form of electricity or heat, which is done through the processing or treatment of waste. In other words, waste-to-energy refers to the technology that converts waste into a fuel source. It is also known as the recovery of energy. The majority of the electricity or heat is produced through direct combustion. However, a combustible fuel commodity is often generated through the treatment of waste such as ethanol and methane, among others.

The waste-to-energy market is expected to grow significantly over the next five years, owing to growing concerns about waste disposal and a growing focus on the generation of clean energy in many parts of the world. This advanced technology helps in reducing the waste disposed of in landfills thereby reducing greenhouse gases. Furthermore, it helps in the recycling of waste, which also reduces the amount of harmful impact of waste on the environment. The waste-to-energy facilities are often considered the only facilities that help to mitigate the adverse changes in the climate as it reduces the burning of fossil fuels and can further reduce the harmful emissions being done to the environment. Various governments across the globe are taking the necessary steps in order to protect the environment. That has also led to an upsurge in the investments being made in waste-to-energy facilities in both developed and underdeveloped economies, which, in turn, is playing a significant role in shaping the market growth throughout the forecast period. Furthermore, the increased focus on waste management is further positively impacting the market growth as numerous regulations are being implemented in many countries for the proper disposal and treatment of waste for energy generation purposes on account of the availability of limited land areas in many parts of the world.

Governments are taking the necessary steps to implement numerous sustainable and effective waste management solutions, and waste to energy is considered an integral part. W With a growing emphasis on renewable energy and rising fossil fuel prices, as well as a desire to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, many countries are investing in alternative energy sources Several regional governments are investing in WtE facilities to avail of the benefits of it. For instance, in January 2020, the Indian Railways announced the opening of its first-ever waste-to-energy plant in Bhubaneswar as its first step towards sustainable development. Also, in October 2018, ACCIONA, a Spanish conglomerate that is primarily dedicated to developing and managing infrastructure for renewable energy, announced a project worth $700 million that will be Australia’s first large-scale thermal waste to energy plant with the aim of reducing landfills and also to produce renewable energy. The plant has the capacity to process 400,000 tonnes of waste per year. Similarly, in March 2017, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation announced the launch of India’s largest waste-to-energy plant at Narela-Bawana with a capacity of using around 2,000 metric tonnes of waste every day and producing approximately 24 MW of energy.

However, the advent of the novel coronavirus disease is anticipated to restrain the market growth to some extent as the outbreak has led to a halt in industrial activities in many parts of the world due to the shortage of labour as well as the non-availability of raw materials due to the disruption in supply chain activities. Furthermore, a slight decline in the demand for energy as well as the economic breakdown in many countries has led to an adverse impact on the investments in new projects, which in turn is projected to inhibit the market growth to some extent, especially during the short run.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization are playing a significant role in the global waste-to-energy market.

One of the key factors that are anticipated to propel the business growth opportunities for manufacturers is the rapid urbanization and industrialization in both the developed and developing economies of the world. With growing industrialization and urbanization, the generation of commercial as well as residential waste has also increased significantly. Additionally, the continuously rising demand for energy across the globe on account of a rising population, rapid industrialisation, and urbanization is one of the key drivers for market growth throughout the forecast period. The burgeoning demand for strong heating and cooling needs in some of the regions is also projected to be one of the factors responsible for boosting the demand for energy. According to the IEA, global energy demand increased by 2.3% in 2018, the fastest rate in this decade. The movement toward sustainable development is also projected to boost investments in clean energy projects in many countries, which is thereby expected to increase demand for waste-to-energy systems in the next five years, thus, positively impacting the market growth throughout the course of the next five years.

The graph below shows the total final consumption of energy by the residential, industry, and transport sectors from the year 2007 to 2017, According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy consumption by the transport sector increased from 2,341,789 ktoe in 2007 to 2,808,148 ktoe in 2017. Similarly, the energy consumption by the residential sector increased to 2,064,275 ktoe by 2017 from 1,902,721 ktoe in 2007.

Reducing fossil fuel dependency.

 Governments around the globe are implementing numerous strategies which are further aimed at reducing the dependency on fossil fuels owing to the high environmental impacts as well as costs. The growing prices of fossil fuels along with their adverse effects on the environment have led to an upsurge in the dependence on clean energy, which is further expected to boost the waste-to-energy market growth in the coming years. Fossil fuels have continued to play an important role in the global energy system. Fossil fuel energy is considered the fundamental driver of the industrial revolution. However, the use of fossil fuels has negative impacts on both the environment and the economy. In addition, the growing need for electricity further increases the use of fossil fuels for power generation, which is more costly in comparison with renewable sources of energy. Due to the high price of fossil fuels, many regions across the globe are moving towards alternative sources for electricity generation. Which in turn is anticipated to positively impact the market growth in the coming five years.

Thermal technology is estimated to hold a significant market share.

By technology, the waste-to-energy market has been segmented into thermal and biological. The thermal waste-to-energy technology is expected to hold a substantial share in the market primarily due to its simple process and being environmentally friendly, which is widely adopted.  Furthermore, this technology further allows the complete combustion of gases that are released from the waste, further making it more efficient and suitable. However, biological technology is anticipated to show substantial growth during the coming years owing to growing investments in R&D under this segment.  The growing focus on the adoption of organic approaches for the disposal of waste due to their less adverse effects on the environment is also one of the key factors supplementing the growth of this segment throughout the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness promising growth over the forecast period.

On the basis of geography, the waste to energy market has been segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The European region is projected to hold a considerable share in the market throughout the course of the next five years, majorly due to the favourable government policies that further support investments in waste-to-energy plants such as landfill taxes and carbon taxes, among others. However, the APAC region is anticipated to show promising growth opportunities for manufacturers over the next five years due to the inclination of the government toward waste management and increasing investments in waste-to-energy projects in major emerging countries like India, China, and Indonesia, among others.

Competitive Insights

Prominent/major key market players in the waste to energy market include Hitachi Zosen Corporation, SUEZ, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., Covanta Holding Corporation, and Veolia, among others. The players in the waste-to-energy market are implementing various growth strategies to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in this market. Major market players in the market have been covered along with their relative competitive positions and strategies. The report also mentions recent deals and investments of different market players over the last few years. The company profiles section details the business overview, financial performance (public companies) for the past few years, key products and services being offered, along with the recent deals and investments of these important players in the waste to energy market.

Key Developments

The waste-to-energy industry has seen significant developments in the last few years, owing to the rapid adoption of environmentally-friendly alternatives for fuel production, as well as the implementation of government initiatives to decrease pollution and environmental degradation.

According to a news release by Patriot Hydrogen in January 2022, the company is hard at work on the first Patriot unit, which will be installed at Kimberley Clean Energy's Kilto Station project near Broome in mid-2022. Kimberley Clean Energy's fossil fuel replacement approach will include the modular hydrogen production unit, with plans to add a hydrogen system in the years ahead. Patriot Hydrogen also raised AUS$1 million (US$720,000 approx) in oversubscribed capital. This funding will be used to support Patriot's anticipated IPO in the third quarter of 2022, as well as the supply of further Patriot modules to Kimberley Clean Energy, which has signed a memorandum of understanding for 75 units.

According to a tweet by Capstone Green Energy on May 26th, 2022, the company received an order for Two Waste-to-Energy Cogeneration Projects in Italy, which are now in the works. Acciona Agua SA will operate three C65 microturbines at its wastewater treatment plants in Alghero and Cagliari, Italy.

According to a news release on 24th May 2022, by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), The Sharjah Waste to Energy facility, the first of its type in the Middle East, was unveiled by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah. Emirates Waste to Energy, a joint venture between BEEAH Energy, BEEAH Group's renewable energy division, and Masdar, one of the world's top renewable energy firms, has completed its first project. The plant, which was unveiled in 2018, would divert up to 300,000 tonnes of garbage from landfills each year, helping the UAE meet its waste diversion and management targets. The project will help the country accomplish its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by preventing up to 450,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere each year.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Waste to Energy Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on a majority of businesses. As a result of the shutdown of most important industries, the global economy has been on a downward track. The pandemic also had a significant influence on the waste-to-energy market. The outbreak also resulted in a decrease in government investments, since most countries were focused on controlling the virus. The market was also met with disruptions and delays in project execution and performance. Moreover, the waste-to-energy sector has suffered a setback as a result of the collection of significant amounts of hazardous medical waste such as gloves, PPE kits, sanitizer bottles, and other items, creating concerns about virus transmission.

However, the waste-to-energy industry is anticipated to experience significant growth in demand, owing to the increasing urban waste and the implementation of clean energy initiatives. Moreover, as countries have reported a relaxation in COVID-19 protocols, the market is expected to grow.

Waste to Energy Market Scope:

Segmentation

• By Technology
  • Thermal
  • Biological
• By Offering
  • Solutions
  • Services
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • UK
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others