Every year, vast quantities of non-recyclable municipal and commercial waste are sent to landfill despite still holding significant energy value. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) offers a proven way to capture that energy, diverting waste from landfill while displacing fossil fuels in industrial combustion processes. This post takes a closer look at RDF Type 3 — commonly known as Fluff RDF — its composition, technical specifications, and the industries that rely on it.
What Is Refuse Derived Fuel?
Refuse Derived Fuel is produced from the combustible fraction of general waste streams — materials such as non-recyclable plastics (excluding PVC), paper, cardboard, and labels. Rather than sending these materials to landfill, they are recovered and processed into a fuel product that can substitute traditional fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries.
The production process involves several mechanical separation steps designed to remove unwanted materials and refine the fuel quality:
- Screening – separating material by size
- Air classification – using airflow to separate lighter combustible fractions from heavier inert materials
- Ballistic separation – further sorting based on material shape and density
- Particle-size reduction – shredding the material down to a usable, consistent size
The result is a homogenous fuel product that can be used as a substitute for coal, oil, or gas in a range of industrial combustion applications, including:
- Cement plants
- Lime plants
- Coal-fired power plants
- Reduction agents in steel furnaces
Understanding RDF Classification: Why “Type 3”?
RDF is not a single standardised product — its characteristics vary depending on feedstock and processing method. Under ASTM standard E856-83 (2006), RDF is classified into seven distinct categories based on processing level and particle size.
The product covered in this datasheet is defined as Type 3, otherwise known as Fluff RDF. This classification refers to waste that has been processed to remove glass, metal, and inorganic materials, and shredded so that 95% by weight passes through a 50 mm square mesh screen.
Key characteristic: Type 3 Fluff RDF is defined by both its purity (removal of inert materials) and its consistent, fine particle size — critical factors for reliable combustion performance.
Parameters can also be tailored to meet specific end-user requirements, making Fluff RDF a flexible fuel option across different industrial processes.
Core Technical Specifications
The table below summarises the primary physical and energy characteristics of RDF Type 3, as tested on an As Received Basis (ARB).
| Parameter | Units | Result (ARB) |
|---|---|---|
| Calorific value | kcal/kg | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Calorific value | MJ/kg | 15 – 20 |
| Moisture content | % | < 35 |
| Particle size (95%) | mm | 50 |
| Maximum particle size | mm | 75 to 100 |
| Bulk density | kg/m³ | 350 to 650 |
With a calorific value of up to 20 MJ/kg, RDF Type 3 offers a genuinely competitive energy content compared to conventional fossil fuels, making it an attractive substitute in high-temperature industrial processes.
Indicative Constituent Parameters
Beyond the physical properties, chemical composition is a critical factor for any facility considering RDF as a fuel source — particularly with respect to emissions control and equipment protection. The table below sets out the indicative constituent parameters for Organics’ RDF product.
Important note: These figures represent typical limits only. They are not representative of any specific lot, cargo, or shipment — every batch is independently tested and certified according to the requirements of each application.
| Parameter | Unit | Value | Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calorific value (ARB) | MJ/kg | 15.0 | Ash Content | % | 5 |
| Cl | % | 0.5 | Cd | mg/kg | 10 |
| S | % | 0.4 | Mo | mg/kg | 20 |
| Br | % | 0.01 | Co, Cu, Mn, Sn | mg/kg | 200 |
| N | % | 0.7 | V | mg/kg | 200 |
| F | % | 0.1 | Cr | mg/kg | 200 |
| Be | mg/kg | 1 | Pb | mg/kg | 200 |
| Hg/Ti | mg/kg | 2 | Ni | mg/kg | 200 |
| As, Se (Te), Sb | mg/kg | 10 | Zn | mg/kg | 200 |
These parameters cover a broad range of elements relevant to combustion chemistry and environmental compliance — including halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine), sulphur, nitrogen, and a full suite of heavy metals.
Applications Across Industry
Because of its consistent particle size, manageable moisture content, and solid calorific value, RDF Type 3 is well suited to several high-temperature industrial processes:
Cement and Lime Manufacturing
Cement kilns operate at extremely high temperatures and can effectively utilise RDF as a substitute for coal or petcoke, reducing both fuel costs and reliance on virgin fossil fuels.
Coal-Fired Power Generation
RDF can be co-fired alongside coal in power stations, contributing to a partial reduction in fossil fuel consumption and associated emissions.
Steel Production
In steel furnaces, RDF can serve as a reduction agent, supporting the metallurgical process while making use of recovered waste material.
Why RDF Matters for Waste Management Strategy
The use of RDF supports a shift away from landfill disposal toward genuine resource recovery, aligning with broader circular economy and waste hierarchy principles. By converting non-recyclable combustible waste into a usable fuel, RDF production:
- Reduces landfill volumes and associated methane emissions
- Displaces demand for virgin fossil fuels
- Provides industry with a cost-effective alternative energy source
- Supports compliance with waste diversion targets
Quality Assurance
Consistency and reliability matter when a fuel product is feeding into a continuous industrial process. RDF production described in this datasheet is backed by ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) certification, and every batch is tested and certified separately according to the specific requirements of each application.
Key Takeaways
- RDF Type 3 (Fluff RDF) is produced from non-recyclable combustible waste, processed to remove glass, metal, and inorganics, and shredded so 95% passes a 50 mm screen.
- Typical calorific value ranges from 15–20 MJ/kg (3,500–5,000 kcal/kg), with moisture content below 35%.
- Bulk density typically falls between 350–650 kg/m³.
- RDF is used across cement plants, lime plants, coal-fired power stations, and steel furnaces as a fossil fuel substitute.
- Chemical composition — including chlorine, sulphur, and heavy metal content — is closely monitored, with every batch independently tested and certified.
Get in Touch
Interested in incorporating RDF into your fuel strategy, or want to learn more about how Fluff RDF could support your facility’s sustainability goals? Contact our team today to discuss specifications, supply options, and how RDF can be tailored to your specific application requirements.