The so-called ‘Gewerbeabfallverordnung’ (commercial waste ordinance) regulation, which makes Germany the first country in the EU to strengthen laws on recycling of waste, is already having positive effects on the export of secondary fuels from Germany.

 

International resource management company Geminor is experiencing an increased interest in export of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and solid recovered fuel (SRF) from several waste facilities all over Germany, as new regulations on the sorting of German waste are leading to higher demand – especially from the Nordic markets. As of early February, Geminor started exporting secondary fuels from Germany to Sweden, and is now also commencing export to the Netherlands.

 

The EU’s most sustainable country for waste handling

 

“The new German regulation undoubtedly has an impact on the country’s export of waste,” commented Andreas Hefler, Geminor’s Country Manager (Germany). “Better sorting means higher quality secondary fuels, which is important for the off-takers. A regulation demanding 30 per cent material recycling of waste is about to make Germany the most sustainable country in relation to waste handling in the EU. As a result of this – and the uncertainties surrounding Brexit – the Nordics and other WtE (waste to energy) markets are now giving Germany more attention,” he added. 

 

In addition to supplying plants in Sweden, two major plants in the Netherlands will receive 25,000 tonnes of German RDF from Geminor in 2019. 

And Geminor will see an increase in export from several German waste producers in 2019. From the Kiel region we will export 10,000 tonnes of RDF to Sweden via the port of Malmö. “The district of Hamburg will provide us with 5,000 tonnes of refined RDF, and from the Düsseldorf region we will handle the export of approximately 10,000 tonnes of RDF to Sweden,” Mr Hefler continued. “Key volumes will be transported by RoRo ferries, but we are also increasing our focus on transport by train. 

 

1.5m tonnes of feedstock handled annually

 

Established in Norway in 2004, Geminor is an international recycling company focusing on RDF, solid recovered fuel (SRF), recycled waste wood, hazardous waste for energy recovery and paper & cardboard, plastic and other types of waste for material recycling in the North-European market. 

 

The firm has logistic hubs and offices in Scandinavia, Finland, UK and Germany, and employs 48 professionals. Handling more than 1.5 million tonnes of feedstock every year and holding contracts with more than 80 waste-to-energy and recycling facilities, the company generate an annual turnover of approximately €115 million.

 

www.geminor.no/en