Brussels, 26 February 2025 – ESWET, the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology association, welcomes the Clean Industrial Deal unveiled today by the European Commission, and urges policymakers to fully recognise Waste-to-Energy (WtE) as a key contributor to a clean, circular, and energy-secure Europe.

WtE plays a crucial role in producing affordable, reliable energy, a core pillar of the Clean Industrial Deal. By converting non-recyclable waste into stable, locally produced energy, WtE reduces dependence on fossil fuels and supports industrial electrification and district heating. This aligns with the EU Commission’s Action Plan for Affordable Energy, which seeks to lower energy costs and break free from fossil fuel volatility.

WtE also advances the Clean Industrial Deal’s goal to strengthen Europe’s leadership in the circular economy by increasing secondary raw material use and reducing landfill reliance. WtE achieves this by treating residual, non-recyclable waste, and by recovering materials (metals, and minerals) as well as valuable energy (electricity, heat, steam, renewable and low-carbon fuels). In doing so, WtE diverts this non-recyclable waste from landfills, in line with the waste hierarchy and the upcoming Circular Economy Act.

In addition, WtE promotes the Clean Industrial Deal’s goal of enhancing decarbonisation, thanks to the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies in WtE plants. By capturing fossil and biogenic CO₂ emissions with CCUS, the WtE sector further accelerates emissions reduction and removal, supporting the upcoming Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. This effort aligns with the Clean Industrial Deal, which emphasises the importance of clean-tech manufacturing in Europe. ESWET members already provide state-of-the-art solutions that boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness while fostering decarbonisation.

To realise the full potential of WtE, ESWET calls on EU policymakers to:

• Recognise WtE as a strategic sector in Europe’s industrial decarbonisation strategy

• Ensure fair treatment of WtE in the EU Taxonomy and Emissions Trading System (ETS)

• Establish harmonised End-of-Waste criteria for recovered materials

• Facilitate CCUS investments for WtE with financial incentives and regulatory clarity

• Promote WtE’s role in district heating, as part of Europe’s energy resilience

“Waste-to-Energy is a proven solution for energy security, circularity, competitiveness, and industrial decarbonisation. We urge policymakers to fully integrate WtE in Europe’s clean industrial future,” said Patrick Clerens, ESWET Secretary-General.

ESWET remains committed to working with the EU institutions, EU member states, and industry stakeholders to ensure WtE’s essential role in Europe’s sustainable industrial transition.

Media contact – Daniela Berretta, ESWET Communications & Events Officer: d.berretta@eswet.eu 

Photo: The Waste-to-Energy-plant in Brescia. Courtesy: Martin GmbH