PEF vs. SRF vs. RDF: Understanding the Key Differences and Choosing the Right Recycling Solution for Your Facility
Did you know Australian businesses generate over 7.4 million tonnes of waste annually? Most of it, plastics, packaging, textiles, and more, end up in landfills or incinerators (ABS).
However, as the Australian Government aims towards a Circular Economy by 2030, recycling has become a crucial component of sustainable waste management. For many facilities, this means exploring advanced recovery methods, such as Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) recycling, Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), and Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF).
While all three methods are part of modern recycling, they differ in several key parameters. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes each of them unique and help you choose the most efficient solution for your facility.
What Are RDF, SRF, And PEF
- Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF): It is a partially processed fuel generated from mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) or commercial and industrial (C&I) waste. It includes plastics, textiles, paper, cardboard, and wood. In many cases, these materials originate from skip bin recycling streams where residual waste is sorted for recovery.
- Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF): SRF is a way more refined and consistent alternative to RDF. It is produced through mechanical-biological treatment (MBT), followed by drying, screening, and granulation, which ensures fewer contaminants and more predictable fuel characteristics. In Australia, it is aligned with European standards (CEN/TC 343), ensuring it meets strict criteria for energy content, particle size, and emissions. This makes SRF recycling ideal for use in cement kilns, lime plants, and other co-incineration facilities where fuel performance and environmental compliance are critical. Even leading building materials companies are incorporating SRF into their fuel mix to lower carbon footprints and comply with evolving environmental standards.
- Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF): PEF recycling is the most advanced and efficient option, made from non-recyclable dry waste that undergoes intensive sorting, decontamination, and drying. It is often pelletised for improved transport and combustion. Designed for specific industrial applications, PEF ensures a consistent calorific value and minimal emissions, making it ideal for high-performance combustion systems, such as those used in cement manufacturing, steel production, and large industrial boilers. In Australia’s decarbonisation drive, advanced recycling sorting systems are supporting the production of cleaner fuels, such as PEF, positioning it as a preferred alternative to fossil fuels.
RDF is typically created through mechanical sorting and basic shredding, but it doesn’t always undergo rigorous quality control. This results in a product that has variable composition and calorific value, making it more suitable for low-efficiency incineration or basic waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. RDF is often used in pilot projects or in regions where high-end infrastructure is not yet in place.
Key Differences Between PEF, SRF, and RDF
| Criteria | RDF | SRF | PEF |
| Type of waste | Municipal and C&I waste. | Clean fractions from commercial or industrial non-recyclables. | Carefully selected and sorted non-recyclables. |
| Moisture Content | 20–30% | 10–15% | <10% |
| Processing Complexity | Basic sorting and shredding | Mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) with refining | High-tech treatment with fuel property optimisation |
| End Use | Incinerators, low-tech energy recovery units | Cement kilns, co-firing in industrial furnaces | Cement kilns, lime plants, industrial thermal applications |
| Emission Control | High variability | Lower emissions due to cleaner input | Optimised for low NOx, SO₂, and particulate matter |
| Transport & Storage | Bulky and unstable | Pelletised or compacted; more stable | Pelletised or baled; high storage efficiency |
| Cost efficiency | Cheapest to produce, lowest energy output | Moderately cost-effective with higher performance | More expensive but offers the best energy-to-cost ratio |
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Facility
Understand Your Waste Composition
Start by checking how much waste your facility generates. If your facility produces high volumes of plastics, paper, and textiles, you may benefit more from SRF or PEF due to their ability to process cleaner fractions with higher energy yields. However, if your waste includes mixed materials with limited sorting capabilities, RDF waste management might be a better option for you.Evaluate Your Energy Needs
If your facility operates high-energy-intensive machinery (e.g., cement kilns and steel plants), PEF can provide a cleaner, high-calorific alternative to fossil fuels. For medium-level energy needs, SRF offers a good balance between quality and cost. In comparison, RDF is typically suitable for lower-tech incineration systems.| Australian cement manufacturers using SRF/PEF have reported a 25–30% reduction in fossil fuel dependency, according to Cement Industry Federation data (2023). |
Assess Infrastructure Compatibility
Check whether your facility is compatible with implementing these recycling solutions. For instance,- RDF requires minimal pre-treatment and is compatible with existing incinerators.
- SRF may require specific burners or co-incineration equipment.
- PEF is typically used in facilities with advanced combustion technology.