Thermal technologies use heat or combustion to convert both organic and inorganic wastes while biological technologies use bacteria to digest organic wastes to yield fuel. Asia-Pacific’s waste-to-energy market will post substantial growth by 2015, as more countries view the technology as a sustainable alternative to landfills for disposing waste while generating clean energy.
In its new report quoted by Ecoseed, consultants Frost & Sullivan said the industry can grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7% for thermal waste-to-energy and 9.7% for biological waste-to-energy from 2008 to 2015.
Thermal technologies use heat or combustion to convert both organic and inorganic wastes while biological technologies use bacteria to digest organic wastes to yield fuel.
Aside from its environmental benefits, recovering energy from waste generates carbon credits. Companies engaged in the industry could also enjoy investment tax allowances and income tax exemptions.
However, adoption of waste-to-energy technology has been sluggish since cheaper waste treatment methods abound. Melvin Leong, a consultant for the market analyst, revealed that most Asian countries dispose their solid waste through open dumping, which is the easiest and cheapest method.
The high capital investment needed to set up facilities or equipment could also impede the commercialization and implementation of the technology. An incineration plant that can process 1,300 tons of waste per day costs around $30 million to $180 million to construct compared with a traditional landfill that costs around $5 million to $10 million.
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