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★Mark us as a preferred sourceCroatia is advancing its waste management infrastructure with a significant investment of around EUR 600 million (US$ 692 million). According to discussions at the 13th International Environmental Protection Conference in Poreč, the industry’s focus is increasingly shifting toward waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities. Alongside sustainable waste management, these projects could significantly increase the supply of alternative fuels available to industrial players, particularly the cement sector.
Hundreds of Millions of Euros Invested in Waste Management
The transformation of the Croatian waste management sector and infrastructure has accelerated, evidenced by the EUR 600 million (US$ 692 million) already secured for projects. At the 13th International Environmental Protection Conference in Poreč, experts highlighted a growing interest in waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities. These plants will play a key role in managing non-recyclable waste while providing a stable and sustainable source of alternative fuels for the manufacturing industry.
Regional Centres and the Milestone Bikarac Project
Croatia currently operates four regional waste management centres. The expansion of processing capacities is proceeding according to schedule: a fifth regional centre is due to open later this year (2026), while several more are under development.
A standout element of this network is the Bikarac Waste Management Centre near Šibenik. This site is developing the country’s first dedicated waste-to-energy (WtE) project. According to plans and official parameters, the facility will process refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and sewage sludge on an industrial scale.
Synergy Between WtE Facilities and the Cement Industry
Delegates at the Poreč conference agreed that WtE facilities and cement kilns will play complementary roles in the sustainable management of non-recyclable waste in the future.
This practice is supported by reports from Holcim representatives. The company has been successfully co-processing waste at its Croatian cement operations since the beginning of 2026. The materials processed and utilized for energy in the kilns already include a significant proportion of residential and municipal waste supplied by municipal utility companies.
Future Plans and the Development of Additional Centres
According to official authorities, Croatia is actively preparing projects for additional regional waste management centres beyond the existing ones. This new investment phase targets the regions of Zagreb, Orlovnjak, and Šagulje.
Preliminary schedules project the completion of the Zagreb project between 2028 and 2029. The capital city’s municipality is currently assessing the economic viability and long-term return of establishing its own WtE plant.
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Original source: CemNet: Croatia advances waste-to-energy plans as cement sector expands alternative fuel use
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Related state institutional link: Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost – the official state co-financier of Croatian waste management and WtE projects, including the Bikarac project)