THE CATALYST

In recent years, few companies have been addressing the global waste crisis by converting trash into valuable energy resources. According to the World Bank, global waste generation is predicted to rise from 2.01 billion metric tons in 2016 to 3.40 billion metric tons by 2050. This massive amount of waste poses significant environmental and health risks if it is not managed properly. However, it also presents an opportunity for innovative solutions. The global waste-to-energy (WtE) market was valued at $35.1 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $50.1 billion by 2027.

WtE technologies present a promising approach to tackling the waste crisis while generating energy. These processes convert various types of waste into usable forms of energy, such as electricity, heat, or transportation fuels. Below are three companies that are leading this revolution by combining WtE technologies with AI and other cutting-edge innovations:

1. Enerkem is a Canadian company that employs proprietary thermochemical technology to transform non-recyclable waste into biofuels and renewable chemicals. Enerkem secured $255 million in its most recent funding round on April 6, 2022.
2. LanzaTech is a New Zealand-based company that recycles carbon from industrial off-gases and various biomass sources to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. In early 2024, the US Department of Energy chose LanzaTech and Technip Energies to receive a $200 million investment to develop a technology to produce sustainable ethylene from captured carbon dioxide on a commercial scale.
3. Reworld, as one of the world’s largest operators of WtE facilities, uses advanced technologies to convert waste into clean, renewable electricity. The company operates numerous facilities across North America and Europe.

By transforming waste into valuable energy, these companies are tackling environmental challenges while simultaneously generating new economic opportunities.

Author: Mohamed Hersi, Licensed Environmental Engineer (P.E.)