The amount of waste wood processed in the UK last year (2018) rose by almost 1.5 per cent from the previous 12 months, according to figures released by the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) this week.
There was also a 10 per cent increase in the processing of grade A material (packaging waste wood) into animal bedding, and biomass wood fuel usage was up by 24 per cent overall, compared to 2017.
The figures are the findings of the WRA’s annual survey of its members which showed that WRA members themselves processed 3.4 million tonnes of waste wood last year, an increase of more than 6 per cent on 2017.
This is a reflection not only of more waste wood being processed, but more processors joining the WRA, which now represents over 90 per cent of the UK’s waste wood industry. In 2017 it represented 86 per cent.
“There are circa 30 larger scale biomass plants in total planned for the UK. We don’t expect there to be any more but when all of those are commissioned and operational, it will see a huge demand for waste wood in the UK which could mean we have to import some fuel.”
Using these statistics, the WRA estimates the total UK figure for waste wood processed was 3.75 million tonnes in 2018, an increase of 1.43% on the previous year.
It also estimates the amount of waste wood generated in 2018 was around 4.5 million tonnes compared to 5 million tonnes in 2017. This, it believes, is a reflection of fluctuating economic activity including a slight downturn in construction and DIY.
Julia Turner, Executive Director of the WRA, said the statistics show the UK’s waste wood industry remains buoyant but highlighted that a drop in estimated waste wood availability could see the UK needing to import waste wood as more biomass plants come on stream, or look to use alternative fuels.
“Biomass usage in the UK was up by 24% to 2.1 million tonnes last year,” said Julia. “This is a reflection of the number of new plants that have come on stream. Biomass is now the biggest single user of waste wood in the UK and has doubled since 2016.
“There are circa 30 larger scale biomass plants in total planned for the UK. We don’t expect there to be any more but when all of those are commissioned and operational, it will see a huge demand for waste wood in the UK which could mean we have to import some fuel.”
Export figures for waste wood remained similar last year as in 2017 at 313,000 tonnes. This was due to the fact that the UK was processing for planned biomass plants that faced delays in commissioning, so the fuel continued to be exported.
Panel board usage was slightly lower in 2018 at 877,000 tonnes compared to 924,000 tonnes in 2017. This was caused by one of the plants being down for a short period of time.