Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £8.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
External factors swing the industry's performance
- The value of recyclable material sorted and sold by MRFs is linked to world commodity prices, affecting the returns that companies gain from selling materials. When metal prices are high, the value of recovered steel cans and scrap rises, boosting revenue even if processing volumes remain stable. The price of steel in Europe dropped sharply in 2024, with data from Focus Economics showing that values fell to their lowest since 2020 amid weak demand and global oversupply. However, prices have since started edging back up. By Q2 2025, the average price reached US$712 (£559.40) per tonne, up from US$594 (£466.70) in Q4 2024. This recovery is benefitting revenue, which may encourage companies to shift resources away from less-profitable materials like plastics and paper, placing greater focus on higher-value metal recovery instead.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The push towards net zero continues to drive revenue
- The UK is doubling down on green goals, with net-zero targets driving change across the country. Under a legally binding framework, the UK is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including cutting industrial emissions by 67% by 2035 compared with a 2018 baseline. This is spurring a greater emphasis on sustainable practices, encouraging higher recycling, greener supply chains and improved resource efficiency across the UK economy. This shift will continue to benefit sorted material recovery businesses, which stand to gain from higher demand for recycled inputs.
Biggest companies in the Sorted Material Recovery in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Veolia Environnement SA | 783.6 | |
Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd | 688.8 | |
Biffa Group Ltd | 219.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Gate fees, Metal and Paper. Gate fees is the largest segment of the Sorted Material Recovery in the UK.
Trends and Insights
High prices strengthen revenue from metal recycling
- Metal is a solid material that conducts electricity and heat well. There are ferrous metals (metals containing iron) and non-ferrous metals.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry comprises companies that sort, recover and sell recyclable materials such as metal, paper, plastic and glass from mixed waste. Companies operate material recovery facilities and sort scrap metal.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom include Gate fees, Metal, Paper, Glass and Plastic.Companies
Companies covered in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom include Veolia Environnement SA, Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd and Biffa Group Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom include virgin material, municipal waste, recyclable material and material recovery facility (mrf).Industry Code
SIC 38.32 - Sorted Material Recovery in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Pressure to reduce landfill waste aids revenue. Greater public interest in recycling and the Landfill Tax are boosting the volume of waste sent to MRFs.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Metal accounts for the largest share of revenue. Metal has a higher price than other recovered materials, keeping it at the top of the market even in the face of volatile pri...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The North West boasts a big population and high manufacturing activity. It generates lots of household and industrial waste, especially as the region's household recycling ra...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Vertical integration provides a competitive advantage. Veolia and Biffa have their own waste collecting divisions, allowing them to win bigger contracts.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Veolia's economies of scale help it win lucrative contracts. These include a 25-year contract with West Berkshire Council signed in 2008 and an eight-year contract worth £338...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Veolia Environnement SA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Biffa Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Veolia Environnement SA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Biffa Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industrial production index is a valuable indicator of demand. The volume of commercial and industrial waste rises alongside increased industrial production and economic ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit continues to climb. Higher waste volumes and stronger recyclate prices have given MRFs a boost, enhancing profitability.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom is £8.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 1,505 businesses in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom?
The Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom?
The Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom are Veolia Environnement SA, Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd and Biffa Group Ltd
What does the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom include?
Gate fees and Metal are part of the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom is Veolia Environnement SA.
How competitive is the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Sorted Material Recovery industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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