The global solid recovered fuel market size was valued at USD 6.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 7.17 billion in 2026 to USD 10.32 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 5.40% during the forecast period (2026–2034). Europe dominated the solid recovered fuel market with a share of 38.12% in 2025.
Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is a processed fuel produced from non-hazardous waste by removing unsuitable materials and separating, shredding, drying, and conditioning the remaining combustible fraction. Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is generally tracked under HSN Code 3825 (residual products of the chemical or allied industries, including municipal waste, sewage sludge, and other waste) and SIC Code 4953 (refuse systems, including the collection and disposal of refuse and waste materials).
The solid recovered fuel (SRF) market demand is driven by the focus on waste-to-energy solutions and demand for alternative fuels in industrial applications. The expansion of waste processing facilities, cement plants, power generation, and industrial boilers contributes to the solid recovered fuel market growth.
By Waste Source
By Processing Technology
By Fuel Form
By Quality Grade
By End Use
Download a Free Sample To learn more about this report,
Expansion of SRF Use in Cement Kiln Co-Processing
The solid recovered fuel market analysis shows growing focus on reducing coal and petcoke use in cement production is increasing the use of solid recovered fuel (SRF) in cement kilns. This transition provides an alternative source of energy for high-temperature cement processes while helping producers reduce their reliance on conventional fossil fuels.
Integration of SRF with Circular Waste Management Systems
The focus on resource recovery is shifting waste management from simple disposal toward integrated systems that recover recyclable materials and convert suitable waste into SRF. Advances in fuel processing, including sorting, shredding, screening, and separation, are helping produce more consistent SRF from non-recyclable waste.
Supply chain disruptions are expected to have a moderate impact on the solid recovered fuel market share due to dependence on consistent waste collection, sorting and processing infrastructure, transportation networks, and reliable delivery of recovered fuel to industrial end users. The market is expected to follow a stair-step recovery, as disruptions in waste collection, processing capacity, and logistics can cause recovery to occur in phases as recycling facilities, fuel-processing operations, and end-user demand gradually return to stable conditions. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.40%, but supply chain constraints could approximately lower this by 1.1 percentage points, resulting in short-term growth of around 4.3%. As supply conditions normalize through stable waste collection, improved processing capacity, smoother transportation, and reliable industrial demand, the solid recovered fuel market growth is expected to gradually return to 5.40%.
The solid recovered fuel market forecasts strategic investment activity driven by waste processing infrastructure expansion, SRF production capacity development, waste-to-energy projects, conversion of non-recyclable waste into alternative fuels, and preference for refuse-derived fuel.
In June 2025, PreZero opened a USD 48 million waste-processing facility in Barcelona with an annual intake capacity of 190,000 tons and expected SRF output of approximately 70,000 tons, supported by optical sorting and AI-enabled process controls.
Circular Economy Practices and Demand for Alternative Fuels in Cement Manufacturing Drive Market
The circular economy practices are increasing the supply of usable waste materials for solid recovered fuel (SRF) production. Waste that cannot be economically recycled can be sorted and processed for energy recovery instead of being sent directly to landfills. This approach supports environmental sustainability by reducing waste disposal while recovering useful energy from non-recyclable materials.
The demand for alternative fuels in cement manufacturing is increasing the use of SRF as a substitute for coal and other fossil fuels. Cement producers are using SRF to lower fuel costs and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. This creates steady demand for SRF and supports the development of waste-to-fuel supply chains.
Limited Acceptance among End Users and Inconsistent Fuel Quality Restrain Market Expansion
Limited acceptance among end users can slow the adoption of solid recovered fuel in energy-intensive industries. Some users remain concerned about fuel consistency, combustion performance, emissions, and the suitability of SRF for existing equipment. These concerns can make industries hesitant to replace conventional fuels with SRF.
Inconsistent fuel quality can affect the reliable use of solid recovered fuel in industrial applications. Differences in moisture content, calorific value, waste composition, and unwanted materials can lead to changes in combustion performance. Such variations can make stable energy recovery more difficult and create issues for users that need consistent fuel properties.
Expansion of SRF Exports and Premium Fuel Grades Offer Growth Opportunities for Market Players
SRF producers and waste management companies can target regions with limited domestic alternative fuel supplies and growing demand from industrial users. Cross-border trade can connect SRF suppliers with cement plants, industrial boilers, and other facilities seeking suitable recovered fuels. This expansion provides opportunities for international supply contracts, export partnerships, fuel distribution services, and long-term customer agreements.
The development of premium SRF grades for specialized industrial applications opens growth avenues for industrial users that require specific fuel characteristics for different heating and combustion requirements. Customized grades with controlled moisture, particle size, and heating value can support applications beyond standard recovered-fuel use. This product differentiation creates revenue through premium SRF sales, customized fuel contracts, specialized processing services, and long-term supply agreements.
Complex Regulatory Compliance and Limited Sorting Efficiency Hinder Market Growth
Regulatory requirements related to waste handling, fuel classification, emissions, and energy recovery can create challenges for SRF producers and users. Differences in regulations across countries and regions can make market entry, facility approvals, and cross-border movement more difficult. These requirements can delay project development and make expansion into new markets more challenging.
Complex waste sorting processes require effective separation of recyclable materials, organic waste, metals, and other unwanted materials before SRF production. Limited sorting efficiency within waste management systems can slow processing operations and increase the amount of material requiring additional treatment.
The MSW segment accounted for a share of 38.5% in 2025 due to the large volume of municipal solid waste available for sorting and processing into solid recovered fuel. The use of MSW for producing alternative fuel also supports segment growth.
The plastic & packaging waste segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period, driven by the large volume of combustible plastic and packaging materials generated from commercial and household activities.
Request Customizationto receive a tailored report.
The mechanical processing segment accounted for a share of 29.5% in 2025 due to the widespread use of sorting, shredding, screening, and separation processes in SRF production. These processes help remove unwanted materials and prepare suitable waste fractions for use as fuel.
The advanced sorting technologies segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period, fueled by the use of automated systems to separate recyclable and combustible materials from mixed waste.
The fluff SRF segment accounted for a share of 48.6% in 2025, owing to its simple production process and suitability for direct use in industrial combustion and co-processing applications.
The pelletized SRF segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, propelled by the demand for uniform fuel with improved handling, storage, and transportation characteristics.
The high-calorific SRF segment accounted for a share of 42.8% in 2025, supported by its higher energy content and suitability as an alternative fuel for energy-intensive industries.
The medium-calorific SRF segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period, propelled by its availability from mixed waste streams and suitability for various energy recovery applications.
The cement segment accounted for a share of 43.5% in 2025, owing to the use of SRF as an alternative fuel in cement kilns. High-temperature kiln operations can utilize suitable waste-derived fuels and support energy recovery.
The industrial boilers segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period, driven by the use of solid recovered fuel as an alternative energy source in industrial heating systems.
Speak to an Analystto discuss market opportunities.
Europe: Market Dominance Led by Circular Waste Policies and Carbon-Focused Energy Recovery
The Europe solid recovered fuel (SRF) market accounted for the largest regional share of 38.12% in 2025, supported by circular waste policies, landfill diversion efforts, advanced waste treatment infrastructure, and emphasis on recovering energy from non-recyclable waste.
The Germany solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 1.40 billion in 2025, making it driven by advanced waste-processing infrastructure, strong landfill diversion practices, and established use of alternative fuels in energy-intensive industries. Germany is advancing circular waste-treatment projects like Rohstoffwerk Weser (LIFE SRF 4.0) in Bremen, which processes industrial, commercial, and household waste to recover recyclable materials and produce high-quality SRF.
The UK solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 1.00 billion in 2025, supported by waste-diversion policies, energy recovery infrastructure, and use of waste-derived fuels. The UK has begun monitoring emissions from waste incineration and energy-from-waste facilities under the planned UK ETS expansion, increasing attention on the carbon performance of residual-waste treatment and the role of SRF in energy recovery.
Unlock Regional Insightsto access country-level data, & regional trends.
Asia Pacific: Fastest Growth Supported by Rising Waste Generation and Alternative Fuel Adoption
The Asia Pacific solid recovered fuel (SRF) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.25% during the forecast period, making it the fastest-growing regional market, supported by rising waste generation and demand for alternative fuels across industrial applications.
The China solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 3.60 billion in 2025, supported by rising waste generation, industrial fuel demand, and government efforts to strengthen waste recovery and circular-economy practices. China’s Zero-Waste City program continues to expand resource recovery and waste reduction, with Suzhou, Sanya, and Hangzhou selected in 2026 for the UN’s “20 Cities Moving Toward Zero Waste” list, reinforcing the country’s focus on recovering value from waste.
The Japan solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 0.51 billion in 2025. Japan’s Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society is promoting greater resource recovery from waste and wider use of recovered materials and energy, supporting the development of waste-derived fuel applications.
The India solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 0.36 billion in 2025, supported by increasing municipal waste generation and a focus on waste processing and energy recovery. India’s Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 are increasing the fuel-substitution requirement for industrial units, including cement plants, from 5% to 15% over six years, strengthening demand for waste-derived fuels.
North America: Market Expansion Fueled by Demand from Cement and Power Applications
The North America solid recovered fuel (SRF) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period, supported by waste-diversion efforts and expanding resource-recovery infrastructure.
The U.S. solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 1.38 billion in 2025, supported by demand from cement and power applications. The U.S. Department of Energy launched its 2026 Waste to Energy and Materials Technical Assistance Program to help state, local, and Tribal governments evaluate non-recycled municipal waste and industrial waste for energy and material recovery.
The Canada solid recovered fuel market was valued at USD 0.40 billion in 2025, fueled by waste diversion, CHP systems, and cement industry applications. Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy targets a 30% reduction in waste sent for disposal by 2030, strengthening the focus on waste diversion, resource recovery, and alternative uses for residual waste.
Latin America: Market Expansion Propelled by Focus on Industrial Fuel Substitution
The Latin America solid recovered fuel (SRF) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. For instance, Brazil restricts the import of solid waste, strengthening attention on domestic waste management and recovery. This encourages greater utilization of locally generated waste resources, encouraging the Brazil SRF market. Mexico’s 2026 policy work on biofuels and circular economy is promoting the recovery and valorization of waste streams, supporting broader opportunities for waste-derived fuels and energy-recovery applications.
Middle East & Africa: Market Growth Led by Favorable Government Initiatives
The Middle East & Africa solid recovered fuel (SRF) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reported that the national waste recycling rate increased from 5% in 2018 to 18% in 2025, while the country is targeting 90% waste diversion from landfills by 2040, supporting greater recovery and utilization of residual waste. South Africa’s Cabinet approved the Waste Economy Master Plan, focusing on waste reduction, recycling, and recovery while creating opportunities across waste value chains.
The solid recovered fuel market competitive landscape is highly fragmented, with established waste management companies, alternative fuel producers, waste processing companies, cement industry suppliers, and regional resource recovery operators. Key players such as Veolia, SUEZ, Renewi, REMONDIS, and Biffa accounted for 20–25% of the global solid recovered fuel market share.
Established players compete mainly through waste processing capacity, processing technology, and supply reliability. Emerging and regional players in the solid recovered fuel market ecosystem focus on specialized SRF production, customized fuel specifications, and local waste sourcing.
July 2026: Paprec and Vicat inaugurated the ALTèreNATIVE facility in Martigues, France, producing SRF from non-recyclable waste for cement manufacturing.
January 2026: SUEZ was awarded a long-term contract to reconstruct and operate the Romainville–Bobigny waste treatment center in France.
Customize This Report to Match Your Strategic Objectives
Author's Details
Research Analyst
Priyanka Nichite is a market research professional with 2.5 years of experience supporting strategic intelligence across the chemicals, energy, and power sectors. She specializes in market sizing, industry analysis, competitive assessment, demand analysis, trend evaluation, and strategic research.
Her work focuses on understanding market structures, growth drivers, technology developments, regulatory influences, investment patterns, and competitive dynamics. Priyanka has contributed to research covering chemical products, industrial applications, energy technologies, power generation, and electrical infrastructure.
Biofuels Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Fuel Cell Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Bioenergy Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Biomass Power Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Microbial Fuel Cell Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, 2034
Gasifier Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
We are featured on:
sales@straitsresearch.com