Investment opportunities in upgrading waste management systems in Western Balkans

Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia are stepping up their efforts to reduce their dependence on landfilling, modernize their waste management infrastructure and align their legal framework with that of the EU. There is widespread recognition that landfilling squanders recyclable materials and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. These developments are creating business opportunities for waste management companies, equipment suppliers, and engineering firms. The international law and tax firm CMS and the Berlin-based advisory firm Andreas von Schoenberg Consulting have published factsheets about waste management in the three Western Balkan countries, presenting concise background information on the business opportunities.

Investing in Serbia’s, Montenegro’s and North Macedonia’s waste management infrastructure offers good business opportunities along the entire value chain. In the coming years, the considerable investment will be required in collection logistics (vehicles and containers to expand separate collection) and in the development of a recovery infrastructure that includes recycling centers, sorting, composting and anaerobic digestion plants, and possibly also mechanical-biological treatment facilities.

Extended producer responsibility systems for packaging, electronic waste, batteries, and end-of-life vehicles need to be strengthened or established. For the processing of construction waste, the creation of a recycling infrastructure is urgently needed. Investments are also needed in the upgrading and rehabilitation of landfills for municipal and industrial waste.

In addition to general country information, the factsheets provide concise insights into waste volumes, disposal routes, and the existing recycling and disposal infrastructure. The main market participants are named. In addition, the legal framework is summarised, and business opportunities are identified. Factsheets on further countries in the region are planned.

Factsheets

For more information about waste management in Montenegro and investment opportunities there, consult FACTSHEET: Waste management in Montenegro or contact CMS Partner  Milica Popović.

For more information about waste management in North Macedonia and investment opportunities in this country, consult FACTSHEET: Waste management in North Macedonia or contact CMS Partner Marija Filipovska.

For more information about waste management in Serbia and investment opportunities in this country, consult FACTSHEET: Waste management in Serbia, or contact CMS Partner Ivan Gazdić.

 About CMS

CMS has more than 4,800 lawyers and tax experts. Its 70+ law firms in 40+ jurisdictions act for clients in Europe and beyond, advising internationally active companies from a wide range of industries. CMS says its strength is the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, where CMS is the pioneer among international law firms. For more than 25 years, their legal experts have been advising mostly international clients seeking to enter these markets. In addition, CMS was one of the first international law firms to establish local offices throughout the region.

About  Andreas von Schoenberg Consulting

Andreas von Schoenberg Consulting is a Berlin-based advisory firm that specializes in circular economy and climate protection issues. Clients in the public and private sectors benefit from decades of experience, an excellent network, and a passion for cleantech issues as well as comprehensive execution support. The firm’s expertise includes market intelligence, internationalization, sales and marketing, foreign trade promotion, and public relations. It serves clients in the DACH region, UK, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.