Waste-to-Energy

Waste-to-Energy (WtE), is a term that is used to describe various technologies that convert non-recyclable waste into energy such as District Heating, Heat for the industry and Electricity.

Products which are not fit for reuse or recycling are called “non-recyclable waste” (Municipal Solid Waste MSW, Industrial Waste …). There are two options for this kind of waste: Waste-to-Energy or Landfilling.

The advantages of Waste-to-Energy are multiple:

• recovery of Energy and materials
• avoidance of methane emissions
• abatement of odor nuisance
• over 90% reduction volume
• saving of valuable land.

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) can be highlighted as a circular, low-carbon and low-polluting waste management option.

Chaumont, France

Municipal waste in the EU

According to calculations by CEWEP (the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants), Europe will still generate around 142 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste in 2035, even if all targets set by the 2018 European waste legislation are met on time.

In 2024 the leading country for recycling was Germany, with 67% of municipal waste either recycled or composted.

While in 2023 11 Member States had landfilled less than 10 % of their waste – which is the target set by the Landfill Directive for 2035, in 2024 they were only 9. There are 8 Member States that landfill more than half of their residual waste.

With over 70 years of experience, LAB is a recognized expert in Emission Control for WtE plants all over the world and mostly in Europe.

LAB solutions are designed for:

• New turnkey facilities
• Revamping or extension of existing plants
• Retrofitting for regulatory upgrades (IED, BREF, BATAEL’s …)

From small-scale incinerators to large energy recovery plants, we adapt our technologies to meet the most stringent emissions limits while ensuring reliability, operational efficiency, and ease of maintenance up to services solutions.

Barcelona, Spain

High-Performance, Modular Technologies

LAB provides a full range of flue gas treatment systems combining Best Available Techniques (BAT) to control key pollutants:

• Particulate matter: bag house filters or electrostatic precipitators (ESP)
• Acid gases (HCl, HF, SO₂): dry, semi-dry or wet systems
• Heavy metals, mercury, dioxins and furans: activated carbon and optimized filtration
• Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ): SCR technology
• Flue Gas Condensation for heat recovery and enhanced emissions
• Carbon capture integration into Flue Gas Treatment

From engineering to commissioning, including supply, installation, and long-term maintenance and services, LAB ensures a seamless and expert-driven project execution.

Protos, United Kingdom