Cooking Oil Recycling in the UK - Industry Research Report

Now we're cooking: Revenue is climbing in 2022-23 thanks to biodiesel price spikes

Cooking oil recyclers provide a legally mandated service to food manufacturing and food-service establishments and then primarily sell the used cooking oil to biodiesel producers. The industry has been lifted by several pieces of legislation that have boosted biodiesel consumption. As the government pursues climate change targets, strong policy support for the use of biodiesel has transformed UCO from being considered a waste product to a valuable commodity. Growth in biodiesel prices alongside growing numbers of food manufacturers and food-service establishments has contributed to industry revenue climbing at a compound annual rate of 5.1% over the five years through 2022-23 to reach £90.5 million.

Companies in this industry collect used cooking oil (yellow and brown grease) from restaurants and other food-service establishments for sale to downstream markets, who process this grease into biodiesel, animal feed and other products. Industry operators also process and refine the used cooking oil they collect prior to selling it to downstream markets.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.