What is the RDF Industry Group
The RDF Industry Group was established in January 2015, when a number of UK waste management companies wanted to come together to explore the opportunities surrounding the movement of Refuse Derived Fuels across national borders. The Group has since grown, and in doing so, widened its scope to cover Waste Derived Fuels (WDF), including Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), across all European Markets.
The RDF Industry Group is now a pan-European trade association with 40 member companies across the European WDF (RDF and SRF) supply chain: from WDF production companies who produce fuel from residual waste; to those who ship, transport and test WDF; to energy-from-waste (EfW) facility operators. Together, the Group collectively:
- Explores and address issues surrounding the movement of WDF across national borders within Europe and related topics;
- Develops evidence-based information on the legal, environmental and economic issues related to the export of WDF; and
- Communicates its work to third parties including governments, the European Commission and other key stakeholders in the form of reports, presentations or other communications material.
The Group welcomes enquiries from prospective members, so if you’d like to find out more about joining us then please see our Become a Member page. To get in touch, please do so via the secretariat’s details below. You can find out more about our current members on the Our Members page.
Welcome from the Chair
Andy Jones, Managing Director of Totus Environmental, is the acting RDF Industry Group Chair.
“As Chair of the RDF Industry Group, I work collectively with our members to represent the industry in providing a respected, informed, and expert voice.
As both the industry and the Group mature, we’re at an important crossroads. The waste-derived fuel industry forms a vital and flexible treatment route for Europe’s waste. In particular, it offers an alternative to landfill – contributing to a potential reduction in CO2 emissions across the waste management supply chain. The industry also faces a number of challenges to the legitimate, environmentally-sound export of waste derived fuels. We’re working collectively to keep standards high by sharing good practice and committing to the Group’s Code of Practice\”.
Andy Jones, Managing Director of Totus Environmental, is the acting RDF Industry Group Chair.
“As Chair of the RDF Industry Group, I work collectively with our members to represent the industry in providing a respected, informed, and expert voice.
As both the industry and the Group mature, we’re at an important crossroads. The waste-derived fuel industry forms a vital and flexible treatment route for Europe’s waste. In particular, it offers an alternative to landfill – contributing to a potential reduction in CO2 emissions across the waste management supply chain. The industry also faces a number of challenges to the legitimate, environmentally-sound export of waste derived fuels. We’re working collectively to keep standards high by sharing good practice and committing to the Group’s Code of Practice\”.
Meet the Governing Board
Chair – Andy Jones, Managing Director, Totus Environmental
Andy Jones has over 25 years’ experience in the international waste and recycling market and over 15 years’ experience owning and managing waste businesses, covering the alternative fuels and hazardous waste sectors. As a result, Andy has excellent understanding of the challenges facing the market as well as close working relationships with other organisations operating within the sector. As Chair of the Group, he uses his experience and expertise within the industry to shape its direction, provide advice and opinion on topics affecting the sector, and ensure that the Group, its members and outputs are respected and trusted by European stakeholders.
Vice Chair – Adrian Irvine, WTE Business Development Manager, Re-Gen Waste
Adrian believes that in today’s ever changing and challenging market it is crucial to be current on the myriad of influences which are affecting the RDF and SRF markets. Taking expert advice on the high-level influences affecting the industry from the secretariat, as Vice Chair of the Group Adrian adds insight on the day-to-day effects that high-level decisions could and are making on the ground. He provides feedback and analysis on where lobbying can influence change for the better for all interested parties in the RDF chain from production, testing and logistics, to end-users.
Adrian believes that whilst it is vital to keep the finger on the pulse of today, the direction of travel of the industry is the only thing we can influence. Therefore, a multi-level approach is needed to shape the way the industry develops, and influence lobbying on direction of change at all levels within the waste industry. It is Adrian’s vision that all Group member organisations use their opportunity to influence across the industry and fulfil their role in engaging and informing stakeholders in local authorities, education, retail and government departments.
Governing Board – Brendan Kavanagh, Budget, Commercial & Business Development Manager, Indaver
In his 28-year career within the waste industry, Brendan has gained extensive local and international experience and knowledge in both the municipal and hazardous waste sectors. He is the Commercial & Business Development Manager for Indaver Ireland’s MSW business and in that role is responsible for commercialising all of the MSW activities including managing Indaver’s long term position in the RDF trade market, an activity that he started in 2011.
As the developer of Ireland’s first Energy From Waste plant, Brendan has a deep understanding of the EfW operating market and the challenges and opportunities that exist in the Irish, UK and European markets. Brendan is a customer champion and strongly believes in the immense power of relationships and co-operation. He has also been involved in developing Indaver’s MSW activities in England, including in the development of the Indaver Rivenhall EfW. He is a long term participant in the RDF Industry Group and has been a member of it’s policy working group since it’s start.
Governing Board – Michael Helldal, Fuel Portfolio Manager, EFO
Michael has more than eight years’ experience in the European EfW market, with a strong focus on portfolio management, cross-border logistics and market risk. At EFO, he is responsible for securing stable and flexible RDF supply to several EfW facilities operating in a volatile energy environment.
On the Governing Board, Michael brings an end-user and portfolio-level perspective on cross-border RDF trade. He contributes insight into how policy decisions, regulatory frameworks and market dynamics affect the reliability of RDF flows that energy systems depend on, with a focus on transparency, risk awareness and regulatory coherence.
Michael’s vision for the RDF Industry Group is to further strengthen its role as a credible and pragmatic voice for cross-border waste trade in Europe. He focuses on shaping a balanced and positive narrative around energy-from-waste and cross-border RDF flows, recognising their role in diverting waste from landfill and supporting energy security, while promoting well-governed practices across the sector.
Governing Board – Simon Lowe, Commercial Director, Willshees
Simon is the Commercial Director at Willshees Waste and Recycling Ltd, overseeing the commercial management of the company’s four sites and with specific responsibilities for managing the production and offtake of RDF and SRF both within the UK and the export market. Simon also recently managed the successful acquisition of Stanton’s into the Willshees portfolio of businesses. Prior to his role at Willshees he was Senior Project Manager at Geminor, where he gained vast experience in the RDF market in the UK and in Europe. He originally started in the industry working as a MRF and HWRC manager for a Tier One waste management company and was involved in process improvement and compliance within these facilities. Simon is well versed in liaising with regulatory bodies for planning, permitting and TFS purposes and is experienced in the UK regulatory and policy framework for waste processing and recovery.
Meet the Secretariat
The secretariat team is led by Mike Brown, Co-Founder and Director of Rooted Environmental, who initiated the RDF Industry Group in 2015. He is currently supported by a dedicated team of policy and market experts, including specialists in waste management and environmental economics.
Mike has nearly four decades of experience in the waste sector, both as an operator and consultant. His extensive knowledge of the UK and EU resource and waste management sectors enables him to effectively support the group’s strategic direction.