China's Waste-to-Energy (WTE) industry is rapidly developing

China's Waste-to-Energy (WTE) industry is rapidly developing, converting municipal solid waste into electricity. Currently, China operates over 1,000 large-scale incineration plants daily. Significant technological advancements have resulted in some plants meeting or exceeding international emission standards. However, due to the rapid expansion of incineration plants and increased waste sorting and recycling, overcapacity is becoming a growing concern.

 

Industry Development and Technology

 

Rapid Expansion: Between 2005 and 2023, China's municipal waste incineration rate increased from 9.8% to 82.5%. The number of incineration plants increased from 67 to over 1,000.

 

Advanced Technology: Modern incineration plants utilize advanced grate technology for high thermal efficiency and are equipped with sophisticated emission control systems. Real-time monitoring and flue gas treatment ensure that emissions are minimized.

 

Global Leadership: China is a global leader in WTE technology and is increasingly exporting its expertise to other countries. Largest Waste-to-Energy Plant: According to Waste360, China is building what is expected to be the world's largest waste-to-energy plant, capable of processing 5,000 tons of waste per day.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Overcapacity: The industry is facing overcapacity, with power plants estimated to be operating at approximately 60% capacity.

Impact of Waste Sorting: Increased waste sorting and recycling are reducing the amount of waste available for incineration, impacting the profitability of power plants.

Improving Sustainability: To address these challenges, the focus is shifting to improved waste sorting and recycling before incineration, which can also help further reduce emissions.