The UK EfW operator enfinium has joined the CCS+ Initiative, making it the first UK based company to join. CCS+ is a 'global, multi-stakeholder alliance between leaders in the carbon management space, from large industrial players to innovative start-ups.’ It aims to use the expertise of its members to 'scale cutting edge climate technologies by developing a robust accounting infrastructure'. Co-leads of the CCS+ Initiative, Christiaan Gevers Deynoot and Matthias Krey, said they are ‘delighted’ to welcome the company to the CCS+ Initiative.

Enfinium is one of the largest EfW businesses in the UK and operates six decarbonisation hubs across the country. The CCS+ Initiative is the first of its kind, set up to support the goal of the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees. EfW will play a significant role in meeting growing carbon removal demands as it continues to manage millions of tonnes of unrecyclable biodegradable waste.

The UK's offshore geological storage capability means the sector has the potential to capture up to 20Mtpa of CO2 by 2050. The CEO of enfinium, Mike Maudsley, said ‘despite our best efforts, there will always be millions of tonnes of unrecyclable waste that needs to be managed. Energy from Waste with carbon capture can maximise the value of this waste by generating carbon negative energy and taking carbon emissions out of the atmosphere.’

EfW operators are looking to ensure access to funding to help install carbon capture technology before the Emissions Trading Scheme comes into place for the EfW sector from 2028. Maudsley noted that the work of the CCS+ is ‘central to developing the framework needed to encourage investment’. 

The CCS+ initiative partners are made up of small start-ups such as Low Carbon Materials, energy giants, BP and Shell, and now, its first UK addition, enfinium. Deynoot and Krey said ‘We look forward to developing together the carbon accounting ‘infrastructure’ fit for the future carbon management economy.’