SRF: Solid Recovered Fuel from Waste to Energy Resource
Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF, also known as CSR in Italy) is the result of advanced technological processes for the energy recovery of non-recyclable waste. Derived from mixed plastics, contaminated paper, non-recyclable textiles, rubber, and heterogeneous plastic materials, it represents an excellent solution to reduce the use of fossil fuels in energy-intensive industrial sectors.
Developed to enhance the value of selection process residues, SRF is now regulated, certified, and fully integrated into European energy plans. To understand its strategic role, it is essential to analyze its technical classification, production process, industrial applications, regulatory framework, and environmental implications.
Classification and Technical Characteristics of the SRF
SRF is defined by the UNI EN 15359:2022 standard, which sets the fundamental technical parameters for its classification:
- Lower Heating Value (LHV): at least 15 MJ/kg
- Chlorine content: maximum 0.8%
- Mercury content: maximum 0.03 mg/MJ
Based on these parameters, SRF is divided into three classes:
- Class 1: high quality, intended for cement plants and power stations
- Class 2: medium quality, suitable for dedicated energy recovery plants
- Class 3: lower quality, used only in high-tolerance plants, subject to environmental verification
According to ISPRA (2024), the average composition of SRF consists of mixed plastics (40–60%), paper and cardboard (20–30%), textiles (10–15%), and minor fractions of wood and rubber. This variability requires strict quality control.
Production and Quality Control
The SRF production process includes:
- Mechanical sorting of waste to remove metals, inerts, and recyclable materials
- Shredding of the remaining material into particles between 10 and 50 mm
- Drying to bring the moisture content below 15%
- Chemical-physical analysis to verify regulatory compliance (ASTM E870-82)
SRF is then compacted into high-density bales. In this context, our balers are ideal for this phase, thanks to their ability to handle heterogeneous materials and produce safe, compact, and logistics-ready bales.
Industrial Applications and Energy Advantages
SRF is mainly used in cement plants, where it can replace up to 40% of fossil fuel consumption. Thanks to temperatures above 1,400°C, pollutants are completely destroyed.
Other applications include power plants and industrial furnaces (e.g., paper mills, steelworks) equipped with advanced flue gas cleaning systems. The heating value of SRF ranges from 18 to 25 MJ/kg. According to the EEA, this enables up to a 30% reduction in CO? emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Environmental Sustainability and Management Challenges
SRF contributes to the reduction of landfill waste, in line with the EU target of a 50% decrease by 2030. However, SRF combustion can generate hazardous emissions, such as dioxins and heavy metals, which must be managed with advanced filtration systems (SCR, activated carbon filters).
The variability in waste composition requires strict quality control to ensure stability of the heating value and class compliance. Additionally, SRF storage requires specific fire prevention protocols due to the high flammability of the material (source: EU Directive 2010/35).
Compositional variability also demands in-line monitoring systems (e.g., NIR spectrometers) to monitor heating value in real time (source: ISPRA Guidelines 2024 – mandatory for plants >50,000 t/year).
European Market and Outlook
In 2024, Europe produced over 12 million tonnes of SRF. Italy, with 1.8 million tonnes, is among the main producers, along with Germany and France. The average price ranges from 80 to 120 €/ton, making it competitive with coal.
International standards such as ASTM D7481 for refuse-derived fuels (RDF) are also facilitating the adoption of SRF outside the European Union, providing globally recognized quality criteria and enabling exchanges between European producers and industrial plants in emerging markets.
In this production context, where operational efficiency determines economic sustainability, the baling phase plays a decisive role. Macpresse supports this process with specific solutions for the needs of sorting and energy recovery plants.
The Contribution of Macpresse
Baling presses represent a key element in the process. Macpresse solutions for the SRF sector address three critical needs:
- Handling of non-homogeneous materials without operational downtime
- Format standardization for integration with automated systems
- Reduction of downtime thanks to accessible critical components
- Lowering production costs with alternative tying systems
Integration between sorting, baling, and logistics is fundamental to ensuring efficiency and economic sustainability.
Alternative Tying Systems: PET, Raffia, and Steel Wire
To meet the different operational requirements of the SRF sector, Macpresse offers a complete range of tying systems, including traditional steel wire as well as alternative solutions such as PET wire and synthetic raffia. These options allow plant operators to select the most suitable material according to their production cycle and operating costs.
The use of PET wire or raffia, both fully combustible, is the ideal choice for SRF bales intended for energy recovery, as it eliminates the need to remove the wire before incineration and reduces metal residues. The adoption of alternative materials also contributes to lower consumption costs, thanks to their lower unit price and greater process efficiency compared to traditional systems.
Macpresse provides companies with equipment compatible with all main tying technologies, optimizing material management and meeting the demands for sustainability, flexibility, and cost reduction. For more information on Macpresse tying solutions, see our dedicated content on plastic tying systems and the economic benefits of raffia, available on the website.
Contact our technical team for an assessment: Contact us
Final Considerations
SRF is a functional response to the management of non-recyclable waste. If properly produced and used, it enables the transformation of a critical issue into a resource, reducing environmental impact and supporting the energy transition.
In a sector where operational reliability is a prerequisite for certification, Macpresse provides engineered technologies for the critical conditions of the SRF supply chain.
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