enfinium, a leading UK energy-from-waste (EfW) operator, today announces the expansion of advanced visual artificial intelligence (AI) technology across all operational facilities. Supplied by German software specialist Wasteer, the system uses cutting-edge analytics to identify non-conforming waste entering the processing facilities. Following installation and machine learning calibration, the technology will help to process waste more efficiently by removing contaminants from the waste feed, preventing avoidable plant downtime and driving greater operational efficiency across its fleet.
enfinium has successfully piloted Wasteer’s groundbreaking visual AI technology at its Ferrybridge 2 facility in West Yorkshire and Parc Adfer facility in North Wales. At both plants, the system delivered outstanding results in identifying contaminants entering the waste stream and helped to improve overall performance. Following the success of these pilots, Wasteer will also be commissioned to operate at enfinium’s Ferrybridge 1, Kemsley, Kelvin and Skelton Grange facilities, with rollout expected throughout 2026.
The advanced, AI-powered camera technology will automatically analyse incoming waste to detect contaminants (non-conforming waste products) before they cause operational problems. The integrated system will issue real-time alerts and record data on all waste streams, alerting plant staff when non-conforming waste is present and enabling its effective removal and disposal.
The automation is expected to cut plant downtime by up to 30% and increase output by around 2%, delivering measurable performance gains across the fleet. In addition, Wasteer’s systems will generate data insights that can be shared with fuel suppliers, supporting improved contaminant removal before waste reaches site and enhancing waste management efficiency for local communities.
Dr Jane Atkinson CBE, Chief Operating Officer at enfinium said: “The implementation of this technology across enfinium’s EfW fleet is just one of many examples of our continued commitment to innovation and improved performance. The success of both Wasteer pilots at Ferrybridge 2 and Parc Adfer made it an easy decision to roll the technology out across our fleet. The expanded partnership with Wasteer will not only improve our operational efficiency, but ensure that communities local to enfinium benefit from reliable and effective waste management which also supplies homegrown electricity to the national grid”.
Benedict von Spankeren, CEO of Wasteer said: “We are extremely pleased with the expansion of Wasteer technology across all of enfinium’s operational facilities. As our previous pilots have shown, our technology solutions offer a highly productive solution to the issue of non-conforming waste within energy-from-waste facilities with minimal required input from the EfW operator. With the provision of an internet network on-site and electricity, Wasteer takes care of the rest – improving operational efficiency and preventing unwanted downtime. As the world continues to develop innovative AI solutions, we are very happy that enfinium has chosen Wasteer to help to innovate the EfW industry”.
Notes to editor
About enfinium
enfinium is a leading UK energy from waste operator with five operational sites in the UK, in West Yorkshire, Kent and Flintshire, and one in construction. enfinium diverts 2.7 million tonnes of unrecyclable waste from climate-damaging landfill, putting it to good use by turning it into home grown energy, enough to power 600,000 UK homes. enfinium’s ambition is to transform its facilities into local ‘decarbonisation hubs’ powered by the millions of tonnes of unrecyclable waste the UK will produce for decades to come. Using existing energy from waste infrastructure, enfinium could contribute to heat networks, produce electrolytic hydrogen, or use carbon capture technology to provide durable, high quality carbon removals which will be critical for the UK to achieve net zero by 2050. For more on enfinium, please visit www.enfinium.co.uk.
About Wasteer
Wasteer enables intuitive analysis and control of waste streams. We digitise waste-specific knowledge. In doing so, we provide the digital tools to not only consolidate and visualise existing knowledge about customers and waste but also to gain new insights from process data or imaging technologies. Additionally, we analyse waste using specialised camera technology and AI. We leverage existing process data from plants to obtain further waste-specific insights and provide the necessary hardware to analyse and categorize waste through camera technologies, sensors, and artificial intelligence. Based on waste-specific knowledge and the individual needs of the plants, we manage waste accordingly to reduce emissions and increase profitability. Website: https://www.wasteer.de/.
