The UK has in the recent years grown to become the biggest market for the international waste management and trading company Geminor. The UK business increased its handling from 515,489 tonnes of waste resources in 2022 to a substantial 761,634 tonnes in 2023 – a growth of as much as 48 percent.
Of the total domestic volume handled by Geminor UK, 176,945 tonnes were sent to UK facilities for energy recovery. This is a share of 23 percent of all waste resources handled by Geminor UK last year.
“We are very satisfied with our growth in 2023, and especially with the increase of tonnage to domestic EfW-facilities. With a domestic growth rate of 28 percent, our goal to increase the energy recovery of waste in the UK is materializing," says Country Manager for Geminor UK, Oliver Caunce.
Export increase
By increasing export by 55 percent to 585 000 tonnes in 2023, the company also managed to maintain its position as the leading exporter of secondary fuels from the British Isles last year. This has been possible due to increased tonnage from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern-Ireland.
“Limited stock, increased demand and high energy prices in northern Europe and Scandinavia resulted in a slight increase in UK export last year. Stocks have now been re-built and in 2024 we believe in a more stable European market leading to a leveling out of UK export.”
“Nevertheless, there is a demand for providing both UK and export recovery capacity to ensure year-round offtake and to eliminate disruption during planned maintenance of recovery facilities. This means that we are back to more seasonality in 2024,” says Caunce.
Increasing bio handling
Geminor UK also diversified its fraction portfolio last year, in which 7 percent was bio and waste wood, and 2 percent was commodities such as paper, cardboard and plastics for recycling.
"We have a strategy for continued growth, and at the same time we plan to increase bio commodity and waste wood treatment. The handling of plastics for recycling will also become a focus area for us in the years to come," concludes CM at Geminor UK, Oliver Caunce.
