The UK’s waste wood sector is facing mounting challenges as stockpiles continue to grow, with recyclers across the country struggling to manage excess material. According to the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA), the market remains under heavy pressure due to capacity constraints and weakened demand, forcing many operators to pause or limit waste wood intake, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The WRA warned that it could take several months for the backlog to ease and for market conditions to return to normal.
The disruption began in March 2025, when several of the UK’s largest consumers of waste wood — including biomass energy plants and panel board manufacturers — were hit by a mix of planned maintenance shutdowns and unexpected outages. The decline in demand came just as the industry entered its busiest period, typically marked by higher summer volumes of waste wood and lower seasonal demand.
Although some facilities have since restarted operations, temporary relief has been offset by new outages elsewhere, leaving the market heavily oversupplied.
“It’s still a really tough situation for the waste wood market,” said Vicki Hughes, Technical Lead on the WRA Board. “We had hoped things would improve after the summer, and while some sites reopening did help, new breakdowns and longer shutdowns have left everyone with too much material.”
Hughes added that many recyclers have been forced to close their gates or restrict intake, even for contracted customers. “Even in the South East — normally one of the stronger markets — facilities are full, and some operators are now exploring export options,” she said.
Describing the issue as “a UK-wide, unprecedented challenge,” Hughes urged waste suppliers to remain patient as recyclers work to keep material moving.
The oversupply has also created storage pressures nationwide. The WRA said it is working closely with environmental regulators across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a practical and flexible approach during this difficult period.
“We are very grateful to the regulators for their supportive response,” Hughes said. “It’s a challenging time for everyone in the industry, and collaboration is key to keeping the system moving.”
