Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Industry Overview

Study Period: | 2019 - 2028 |
Fastest Growing Market: | Middle East and Africa |
Largest Market: | Asia Pacific |
CAGR: | 7.35 % |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Analysis
The waste-to-energy (WtE) market is expected to register a CAGR of 7.35% during the forecast period of 2022 – 2027, reaching a market size of USD 74 billion by 2027, up from USD 49 billion in 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak had a moderate impact on the global waste-to-energy market due to reduced investments in new projects caused by a global economic slowdown. The market is expected to revive toward the latter part of the forecast period after the global economy's revival. In addition to this, an increasing amount of waste generation and growing concern for waste management to meet the need for sustainable urban living, and increasing focus on non-fossil fuel sources of energy are driving the demand for the waste-to-energy market. The market growth is expected to be restrained by the expensive nature of incinerators, particularly as energy prices decline and several plants are unable to cover operating costs. Furthermore, several European and Asia-Pacific countries are planning to focus more on recycling, which saves three to five times more energy, thus, restraining the waste-to-energy market.
- Thermal technology is expected to dominate the waste-to-energy market in the coming years, owing to the increasing development in incineration and gasification technologies, as well as the increasing amount of waste generated, especially from the emerging economies of Asia-Pacific.
- Emerging waste-to-energy technologies, such as Dendro Liquid Energy (DLE), which is four times more efficient in terms of 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 coming years.
- Asia-Pacific dominated the market across the world, with the majority of demand coming from the countries such as China, India, and Japan.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Industry Segments
The global waste-to-energy (WtE) market report includes:
Technology | |
Physical | |
Thermal | |
Biological |
Geography | |
North America | |
Asia-Pacific | |
Europe | |
Middle-East and Africa | |
South America |
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market according to our research experts:
Thermal-Based Waste-to-Energy Segment to Dominate the Market
- Thermal technology is expected to account for the highest market share in the global waste-to-energy market during the forecast period, owing to the increasing development of waste incineration facilities across the world.
- It is estimated that plants, which utilize cogeneration of thermal power (heating and cooling), together with electricity generation, can reach optimum efficiencies of 80%.
- In the present scenario, incineration is the most well-known waste-to-energy technology for municipal solid waste (MSW) processing. However, waste-to-energy technologies, particularly incineration, produce pollution and carry potential health safety risks. In order to reduce particulate and gas-phase emissions, incineration plant owners have adopted a series of process units for cleaning the flue gas stream, which has, in turn, led to a significant improvement in terms of environmental sustainability.
- In October 2020, Doosan Lentjes was awarded the contract by DHE (Dinslakener Holz-Energiezentrum) to build lot 1 of the new wood combustion plant, located in Dinslaken. Once in operation, the new plant will thermally treat about 200,000 metric ton of waste wood (class l-lll) per year.
- The thermal-based waste to energy conversion is expected to lead the market, especially in Asia-Pacific's growing economies, where the rising urban population is forecasted to be the key contributing factor for increasing municipal solid waste (MSW).

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Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific has witnessed significant development in the waste-to-energy industry in the past few years. It has dominated the market across the world with increasing efforts taken by the government in adopting better MSW management practices, providing incentives for waste-to-energy projects in the form of capital subsidies and feed-in tariffs, and providing financial support for R&D projects on a cost-sharing basis.
- Due to economic development and rapid urbanization in China, the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) has been increasing rapidly. Therefore, the effective disposal of municipal solid waste has become a serious environmental challenge in China.
- In December 2020, the Karnataka government laid the foundation for a waste-to-energy (WtE) plant at Bidadi, which is being developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL). The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2022 and is set to be the first WtE plant in the state.
- Japan has been one of the leading markets for waste-to-energy in Asia-Pacific. The country's waste-to-energy market is driven by efficient solid waste management and financial support for waste-to-energy projects from both national and local governments. Moreover, to preserve the environment, the country is expected to introduce waste management and recycling technologies, which effectively turn waste into resources or appropriately disposes of it.
- Therefore, factors such as the increasing amount of waste generated and the efforts taken by various governments to tackle this situation are expected to boost the demand for waste-to-energy plants in Asia-Pacific region during the forecast period.

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Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Competitor Analysis
The global waste-to-energy (WtE) market is moderately fragmented. Some of the major players operating in this market include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Waste Management Inc., A2A SpA, Veolia Environnement SA, and Hitachi Zosen Corp.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Top Players
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Waste Management Inc.
A2A SpA
Veolia Environnement SA
Hitachi Zosen Corp
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Recent Developments
- In January 2021, the Indian state-controlled oil firm (IOC) and North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) have joined forces in setting up a waste-to-energy plant (WtE) at NDMC’s Ranikhera, New Delhi, landfill site.
- In October 2021, the waste-to-energy plant at Kapuluppada, Andhra Pradesh, India was inaugurated. The plant capacity is around 15 MW and is expected to receive 900 to 1000 tonnes of waste on a daily basis which will be supplied by Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.
- In December 2020, the Karnataka government laid the foundation for a waste-to-energy (WtE) plant at Bidadi, which is being developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL). The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2022 and is set to be the first WtE plant in the state.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) 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 Forecast, in USD million, till 2027
4.3 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Generation, in billion metric ton, till 2027
4.4 Number of Incineration Plants, Forecast, till 2027
4.5 Per Capita Waste Generation, till 2027
4.6 Government Policies and Regulations
4.7 Recent Trends and Developments
4.8 Market Dynamics
4.8.1 Drivers
4.8.2 Restraints
4.9 Supply Chain Analysis
4.10 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.10.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.10.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
4.10.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.10.4 Threat of Substitutes Products and Services
4.10.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Technology
5.1.1 Physical
5.1.2 Thermal
5.1.3 Biological
5.2 Geography
5.2.1 North America
5.2.2 Asia-Pacific
5.2.3 Europe
5.2.4 Middle-East and Africa
5.2.5 South America
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
6.2 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
6.3 Company Profiles
6.3.1 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
6.3.2 Waste Management Inc.
6.3.3 A2A SpA
6.3.4 Veolia Environnement SA
6.3.5 Hitachi Zosen Corp
6.3.6 MVV Energie AG
6.3.7 Martin GmbH
6.3.8 Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
6.3.9 China Jinjiang Environment Holding Co. Ltd
6.3.10 Suez Group
6.3.11 Xcel Energy Inc.
6.3.12 Wheelabrator Technologies Holdings Inc.
6.3.13 Covanta Holding Corp.
6.3.14 China Everbright Group
*List Not Exhaustive7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Research FAQs
What is the study period of this market?
The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market is studied from 2019 - 2028.
What is the growth rate of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market?
The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market is growing at a CAGR of 7.35% over the next 5 years.
What is Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market size in 2019?
The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market is valued at 49 Billion USD in 2019.
What is Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market size in 2028?
The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market is valued at 74 Billion USD in 2028.
Which region has highest growth rate in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market?
Middle East and Africa is growing at the highest CAGR over 2019 - 2028.
Which region has largest share in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market?
Asia Pacific holds highest share in 2021.
Who are the key players in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market?
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Waste Management Inc., A2A SpA, Veolia Environnement SA, Hitachi Zosen Corp are the major companies operating in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Industry Reports
In-depth industry statistics and market share insights of the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) sector for 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) research report provides a comprehensive outlook of the market size and an industry growth forecast for 2023 to 2028. Available to download is a free sample file of the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) report PDF.