This will take installed treatment capacity in Europe to 46m tonnes annually by 2016, according to a new report The European MBT market by ecoprog.

At present, there are about 330 operational MBT plants throughout Europe, with a combined annual capacity of 34m tonnes. Since 2009, at least 25 new facilities have come on stream each year.

The study notes that demand for MBT has increased as initial teething problems with the technology have subsided. The sector also still benefits from the EU Landfill Directive as it has not been implemented sufficiently in many European countries yet.

In countries like France or Spain, MBT is preferred over incineration, whereas in the UK, demand for refuse-derived fuels is driving the market. The study predicts that the number of MBT plants in Europe will increase to 450 by 2016.

Maxine Perella

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