Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market Size, Share, Growth, And Industry Analysis By Type (Thermal And Biological) By Application (Electricity Generation, Heat Generation, And Transport Fuels), Regional Insights, and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

Last Updated: 08 August 2025
SKU ID: 29750237

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WASTE-TO-ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market size stood at USD 39.23 billion in 2025, growing further to USD 66.72 billion by 2034 at an estimated CAGR of 6.08% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market size is projected at USD 12.92225 billion in 2025, the Europe Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market size is projected at USD 10.56847 billion in 2025, and the China Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market size is projected at USD 10.69008 billion in 2025.

Waste-to-energy technologies refers to the cycle of steps to turn solid waste into energy; this step is sometimes referred to as energy from waste, or WtE for short. Waste-to-energy technologies use thermochemical and biochemical processes to process urban waste materials and convert them into fuels, steam, or electricity as an energy source. Waste-to-energy technologies systems can produce clean energy and reduce the volume of the waste by 90%, depending on its composition and the removal of toxic waste from the pile. By managing garbage more effectively and generating useable energy in the process, waste-to-energy technologies help reduce the quantity of waste and pollutants in landfills. The primary wastes converted into energy are residual and processed waste, manure slurries, municipal solid waste, and agricultural waste.

The market for waste-to-energy technologies is in high demand and is expanding, related to the desire for clean energy production. The market for waste-to-energy technologies is expanding due to the strict government regulations governing the creation of energy from waste products. In addition, as global technology advances, there is a higher need for energy and fuel, which directly affects the market value of waste-to-energy technologies. The market is expanding as a result of creative initiatives and active research and development in the sector.

KEY FINDINGS

  • Market Size and Growth: USD 39.23 billion in 2025, growing further to USD 66.72 billion by 2034 at an estimated CAGR of 6.08% from 2025 to 2034.
  • Key Market Driver: ~3.4 billion tonnes per year by 2050, driving demand for waste treatment including waste-to-energy.
  • Major Market Restraint: waste-to-energy capital & operating costs remain higher than simple landfilling in many markets, constraining deployment where landfill space is plentiful.
  • Emerging Trends: EU rose by 28 million tonnes since 1995, reaching 58 million tonnes in 2023, signalling growing EfW activity in Europe.
  • Regional Leadership: Europe incinerated 58 million tonnes of municipal waste in 2023 and continues to lead in integrated EfW + district heating deployments.
  • Competitive Landscape:leading operators run dozens to >60 WtE plants each, creating a mixed market of utilities, specialist operators and EPC
  • Market Segmentation: municipal solid waste incineration, anaerobic digestion (biogas), pyrolysis/gasification, and biomass co-firing
  • Recent Development: new Chinese plants designed for ~5,000 tonnes/day capacity, reflecting continued large-scale plant builds.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Growth Impeded Due To Increased Medical Waste

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with waste to energy technologies market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on global markets. The lockdown that was imposed in an effort to stop the virus's spread has had long-lasting detrimental repercussions on the markets. The pandemic's negative effects were also seen in the market for waste-to-energy technologies since the pandemic disrupted the global supply chain, causing labor and raw material shortages. Poor management of medical waste disposal resulted from the volume of trash generated by the healthcare industry, which ran the risk of becoming contaminated with viruses. Due to discarded objects containing COVID-19 virus evidence, the smart waste management system pickers were hesitant. The excessive plastic pollution caused by single-use items and their disposal disrupted sustainable development initiatives. Each of these problems has constrained the waste-to-energy technologies market growth.

LATEST TRENDS

Strict Government Policies Facilitates Market Value

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, governments all over the world have been putting into place several strict regulations pertaining to green technology. As a result, the inventions and development in the renewable energy sector have skyrocketed. To lessen their reliance on fossil fuels, the various governments of the world are also investing in a wide variety of renewable energy sources. The market for waste-to-energy technologies  has been driven by the development of numerous programs and incentives to promote renewable energy use.

  • Global WtE expansion: As of 2016, China hosted ~ 434 WtE plants and Japan processed 40 million tons of MSW yearly via thermal plants .
  • Bioenergy potential: DOE-backed estimates indicate the U.S. could process 77 million dry tons of wet organic waste, producing about 1.08 quadrillion Btu annually

WASTE-TO-ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • By Type Analysis

According to type, the market can be segmented into thermal and biological. Thermal segment is predicted to lead the market by type during the forecast period.

  • By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market can be divided into Electricity Generation, Heat Generation, and Transport Fuels. Electricity generation segment will dominate the market by application during the years of 2025-2033.

DRIVING FACTORS

Commercial And Environmental Benefits Push Product Value

The problem of water pollution, which results in the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide and air pollution, is brought on by waste disposal in open landfills or water bodies. The waste-to-energy technologies market contributes to the resolution of the problem by eliminating unneeded landfills and environmental problems. This causes significant environmental harm. Profits from the dependable and healthy energy source provided to many homes and businesses are among the market's commercial advantages since they aid in creating successful economies.

Adaption Of Waste Management System Augments Market Growth

Many nations' waste management systems are flourishing as a result of their early adaptation. Wastewater treatment, food processing, and dairy farms are examples of industries where the waste management system is applied using thermochemical technology, which offers the potential to market end users. This feature propels the waste-to-energy technologies market to succeed since a variety of waste types assist in producing various energy sources, including fuels, electricity, gas, and other useful items.

  • Landfill gas recovery mandate: U.S. Clean Air Act landfills collected 256 Bcf of gas in 2020, converting it into roughly 10 billion kWh of electricity.
  • Thermal dominance: By 2034, thermal WtE technologies are projected to comprise over 65% of the market, addressing increasing waste and energy demands.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

High Cost Of Installation Obstruct Market Expansion 

The incinerator system is absurdly costly and requires a lot of maintenance, and the setup of the market for waste-to-energy technologies is initially highly expensive. The initial outlay needed for the construction, setup, waste separation, and general operation of the incinerator raises the cost to a level that prevents the market for waste-to-energy technologies from expanding. The requirement for skilled and seasoned staff at the waste-to-energy technologies plant will result in additional expenses.

  • Ash byproducts: Waste combustion yields 15–25% of bottom and fly ash by weight, requiring careful disposal protocols .
  • Economic/logistical constraints: In the U.S., WtE output has stagnated around 2 000 MW due to low landfill costs, accessible land, and political hurdles .

WASTE-TO-ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Maximum Disposal Of Waste Helps North America Dominate

The North American region dominates the waste-to-energy technologies market shares. Due to the significant levels of waste generation in the region and the knowledge of the need to manage discarded waste appropriately, the countries in the region are helping the market succeed. The industry is also being aided by the region's emphasis on dependable, clean energy source generation and growing awareness of environmental issues.

During the projection period, Europe is anticipated to continue to lead the market in waste-to-energy technologies, where it now holds a dominant position after North America. The region's increasing success is attributable to a number of government initiatives and financial incentives; also, European nations are becoming more conscious of their obligations to address the world's pressing environmental problems, which is causing the market for waste-to-energy technologies in the region to expand quickly. Waste-to-energy technologies facilities, which generate a large amount of clean and green energy, are also abundant throughout the European region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

  • MVV Energie — MVV has set targets to connect 10,000 MW of renewables to the grid (company target referenced), reflecting its broad energy transformation activity including EfW integration.
  • Covanta — individual Covanta EfW facilities can process >220,000 tons/year (example: Bristol facility data), showing typical US plant throughput.

List of Top Waste-to-energy Technologies Companies

  • MVV Energie
  • Covanta
  • AVR
  • MCC
  • EEW Efw
  • Attero
  • Osaka City Hall
  • City of Kobe
  • TIRU
  • AEB Amsterdam
  • Viridor
  • Wheelabrator
  • NEAS
  • Shenzhen Energy
  • Suez
  • CA Tokyo 23
  • Tianjin Teda
  • China Everbright
  • Veolia
  • A2A
  • Grandblue

REPORT COVERAGE

This research profiles a report with extensive studies that take into description the firms that exist in the market affecting the forecasting period. With detailed studies done, it also offers a comprehensive analysis by inspecting the factors such as segmentation, opportunities, industrial developments, trends, growth, size, share, and restraints. This analysis is subject to alteration if the key players and probable analysis of market dynamics change.

Waste-To-Energy Technologies Market Report Scope & Segmentation

Attributes Details

Market Size Value In

US$ 39.23 Billion in 2025

Market Size Value By

US$ 66.72 Billion by 2034

Growth Rate

CAGR of 6.08% from 2025 to 2034.

Forecast Period

2025TO2034.

Base Year

2024

Historical Data Available

Yes

Regional Scope

Global

Segments Covered

By Types

  • Thermal
  • Biological

By Application

  • Electricity Generation
  • Heat Generation
  • Transport Fuels

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