Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Overview
The global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) market was valued at USD xxxx units in 2025 and is projected to reach USD xxxx units by 2036, expanding at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2036. Market growth is driven by rising waste generation, increasing pressure on landfill reduction, and growing adoption of alternative fuels across cement plants, power generation facilities, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
Refuse-derived fuel is produced from non-recyclable municipal and industrial waste streams and is increasingly used as a substitute for fossil fuels. RDF supports circular economy objectives by converting waste into energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering dependency on coal and other conventional fuels.
The Global Refuse-Derived Fuel Market Report 2025 provides an in-depth assessment of market size, processing capacity, waste-to-energy infrastructure, policy frameworks, and competitive dynamics. The analysis integrates historical data with current market trends to forecast future growth across regions and applications.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market
The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the RDF market in 2020. Temporary disruptions in waste collection, reduced industrial activity, and delays in infrastructure projects affected RDF production and consumption in several regions. Cement and power plants experienced short-term operational slowdowns, reducing alternative fuel demand.
However, the post-pandemic period saw renewed focus on waste management resilience, energy security, and sustainability. Government stimulus programs, environmental regulations, and increased municipal solid waste generation supported recovery in RDF processing and consumption, particularly in emerging economies.
Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Segmentation
By Type
Dense RDF dominates the market due to higher calorific value, improved handling efficiency, and suitability for long-distance transportation. Loose RDF is commonly used for localized energy recovery applications with minimal preprocessing requirements.
By Application
Cement plants represent the largest application segment, driven by the industry’s ability to co-process RDF as an alternative fuel while meeting emission standards. CHP applications are gaining traction due to their efficiency in utilizing RDF for both electricity and thermal energy generation.
Regional Analysis
Europe remains a mature and regulation-driven market, supported by strict landfill diversion policies and advanced waste-to-energy infrastructure. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by rapid urbanization, rising waste volumes, and increasing investments in alternative fuel projects. North America shows steady growth due to landfill diversion initiatives and industrial fuel substitution. South America experiences moderate expansion supported by cement and industrial energy demand. The Middle East & Africa region is gradually emerging, driven by urban waste challenges and energy diversification initiatives.
Country-level demand is particularly strong in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China, where RDF adoption is accelerating as part of national waste management and energy transition strategies.
Key Players in the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market
The global RDF market is moderately consolidated, with players focusing on integrated waste management, fuel processing efficiency, and long-term offtake agreements with cement and power producers.
Key market participants include
Jinjiang Environment
TPI Polene Power
DP CleanTech
BEST
PJT Technology
Republic Cement & Building Materials
Dai Dong Environment Solutions.
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
The threat of new entrants is moderate due to high capital requirements, regulatory approvals, and long-term waste supply contracts. Supplier bargaining power is low to moderate, as municipal waste streams are widely available but controlled by public authorities. Buyer bargaining power is moderate, with cement and power producers negotiating long-term pricing agreements. The threat of substitutes is moderate, with biomass, natural gas, and other alternative fuels competing in select applications. Competitive rivalry is moderate to high, driven by processing efficiency, fuel quality, and regulatory compliance.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths include strong alignment with circular economy goals, landfill reduction, and fossil fuel substitution. Weaknesses include variability in waste composition and dependency on local regulatory frameworks. Opportunities lie in expanding waste-to-energy infrastructure, stricter landfill regulations, and decarbonization initiatives in cement and power sectors. Threats include public opposition to waste-derived fuels, regulatory uncertainty, and competition from other renewable energy sources.
Market Trends
Key trends include increasing co-processing of RDF in cement kilns, rising investments in advanced sorting and preprocessing technologies, growing adoption in Southeast Asia, and integration of RDF within broader waste management and energy systems.
Market Drivers and Challenges
Major drivers include rising municipal solid waste generation, government mandates for landfill diversion, increasing fuel costs, and sustainability commitments by industrial energy users. Challenges include regulatory complexity, feedstock variability, public perception issues, and high initial capital investment for RDF processing facilities.
Value Chain Analysis
The RDF value chain includes waste collection, sorting and segregation, shredding and drying, RDF processing and densification, storage, transportation, and end-use energy recovery. Stakeholders focus on improving calorific value consistency, reducing contaminants, and ensuring reliable long-term supply to end users.
Market Outlook
The global refuse-derived fuel market is expected to experience sustained growth through 2036, supported by increasing waste generation, tightening environmental regulations, and rising adoption of alternative fuels in cement and power industries. Asia-Pacific will remain the primary growth engine, while Europe will continue to lead in regulatory-driven adoption and technology maturity. Long-term market success will depend on policy support, infrastructure development, and integration of RDF into national waste and energy strategies.
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1. Market Overview of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
1.1 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Overview
1.1.1 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2025 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Dense RDF
2.4 Loose RDF
3. Covid-19 Impact Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Cement Plants
3.4 Coal Fired Power Plants
3.5 Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
3.6 Others
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Business
5.1 Jinjiang Environment
5.1.1 Jinjiang Environment Company Profile
5.1.2 Jinjiang Environment Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.1.3 Jinjiang Environment Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 TPI Polene Power
5.2.1 TPI Polene Power Company Profile
5.2.2 TPI Polene Power Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.2.3 TPI Polene Power Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 DP CleanTech
5.3.1 DP CleanTech Company Profile
5.3.2 DP CleanTech Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.3.3 DP CleanTech Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 BEST
5.4.1 BEST Company Profile
5.4.2 BEST Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.4.3 BEST Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 PJT Technology
5.5.1 PJT Technology Company Profile
5.5.2 PJT Technology Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.5.3 PJT Technology Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Republic Cement & Building Materials
5.6.1 Republic Cement & Building Materials Company Profile
5.6.2 Republic Cement & Building Materials Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.6.3 Republic Cement & Building Materials Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Dai Dong Environment Solutions
5.7.1 Dai Dong Environment Solutions Company Profile
5.7.2 Dai Dong Environment Solutions Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.7.3 Dai Dong Environment Solutions Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) market size by countries
5.8.1 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) market size by countries Company Profile
5.8.2 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) market size by countries Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.8.3 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) market size by countries Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Indonesia
5.9.1 Indonesia Company Profile
5.9.2 Indonesia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.9.3 Indonesia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Thailand
5.10.1 Thailand Company Profile
5.10.2 Thailand Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.10.3 Thailand Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Vietnam
5.11.1 Vietnam Company Profile
5.11.2 Vietnam Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.11.3 Vietnam Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 Philippines
5.12.1 Philippines Company Profile
5.12.2 Philippines Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.12.3 Philippines Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.13 China
5.13.1 China Company Profile
5.13.2 China Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.13.3 China Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.14 SEA Other
5.14.1 SEA Other Company Profile
5.14.2 SEA Other Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Product Specification
5.14.3 SEA Other Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
6.2 North America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
7.2 East Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
8.2 Europe Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
9.2 South Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
11.2 Middle East Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
12.2 Africa Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
13.2 Oceania Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
14.2 South America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Size by Application
16 Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter?s Five Forces Analysis
18 Regulatory Information
17 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions
18 Appendix
18.1 Research Methodology
18.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach
18.1.2 Data Source
18.2 Disclaimer
Global Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market Segmentation
By Type
Dense RDF dominates the market due to higher calorific value, improved handling efficiency, and suitability for long-distance transportation. Loose RDF is commonly used for localized energy recovery applications with minimal preprocessing requirements.
By Application
Cement plants represent the largest application segment, driven by the industry’s ability to co-process RDF as an alternative fuel while meeting emission standards. CHP applications are gaining traction due to their efficiency in utilizing RDF for both electricity and thermal energy generation.
Regional Analysis
Europe remains a mature and regulation-driven market, supported by strict landfill diversion policies and advanced waste-to-energy infrastructure. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by rapid urbanization, rising waste volumes, and increasing investments in alternative fuel projects. North America shows steady growth due to landfill diversion initiatives and industrial fuel substitution. South America experiences moderate expansion supported by cement and industrial energy demand. The Middle East & Africa region is gradually emerging, driven by urban waste challenges and energy diversification initiatives.
Country-level demand is particularly strong in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China, where RDF adoption is accelerating as part of national waste management and energy transition strategies.
Key Players in the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Market
The global RDF market is moderately consolidated, with players focusing on integrated waste management, fuel processing efficiency, and long-term offtake agreements with cement and power producers.
Key market participants include
Jinjiang Environment
TPI Polene Power
DP CleanTech
BEST
PJT Technology
Republic Cement & Building Materials
Dai Dong Environment Solutions.
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