What Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku does

Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku is a municipal waste management utility wholly owned by the City of Gdańsk, operating a 67.5-hectare integrated waste processing site in northern Poland. The facility serves over 560,000 residents across four gminas (City of Gdańsk, Kolbudy, urban Pruszcz Gdański, and rural Pruszcz Gdański), processing approximately 300,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per year, of which roughly 210,000 tonnes pass through a modernized sorting station that recovers approximately 85% of material for recycling. The technology stack comprises a sorting installation, two composting lines (a 40,000 tonnes/year hermetic chamber plant launched in 2020 and an 80,000 tonnes/year tunnel composting line), a hazardous waste storage facility, a reverse-osmosis leachate treatment plant, more than 300 landfill gas extraction wells tied into an energy recovery system, and a bioelectricity and heating plant under construction (179.5 million PLN investment, 45% NFOŚiGW grant, scheduled H2 2028). Landfill cell 800/1 was formally closed in January 2023 and is undergoing multi-phase reclamation, with Sector C completed in 2025 cutting methane leak points 98%. The facility produces the SK-9 certified organic soil improver (~9,000 tonnes in 2023), sold under the 'Czarne złoto ogrodników' brand at 30 PLN net/tonne and through an annual 1 PLN/tonne promotional campaign with free delivery to Gdańsk residents.

Revenue is generated primarily through municipal waste processing fees paid by the four contracting gminas, with secondary streams from commercial tipping fees, recovered raw material sales, and SK-9 compost sales; residents of Gdańsk receive most waste acceptance services free of charge as part of the municipal waste fee, while non-residents and commercial entities pay per a published price list. Distribution is direct: two PSZOK walk-in sites (Sorterownia Szadółki at the main facility and Sorterownia Rudniki), formal municipal contracts, on-site compost pickup, and the seasonal 'Czarne złoto ogrodników' delivery program organized through Gdańskie Usługi Komunalne. ZUT also operates a portfolio of community-facing programs — Miejskie Mikrolasy urban micro-forests, the Wypożycz Choinkę Christmas tree lending program, and a Grade 8 environmental education curriculum reaching 8,500+ students annually — that function as civic engagement rather than primary revenue drivers.

The business model is that of a regulated municipal utility with no external equity ownership and no VC or PE backing; capex is funded through municipal budgets, EU-aligned grants (notably NFOŚiGW), preferential loans, and internally generated cash flow. Growth levers are the forthcoming energy offtake from the bioelectricity plant, recyclables commodity pricing, and continued upward migration of the municipal recycling rate (37.26% in 2023 versus a 45% target for 2024 and 55% for 2025). The moat is anchored in exclusive municipal contracts, regulatory certifications (most notably the SK-9 ministerial decision), and scale economics on a footprint that is effectively impossible to replicate inside the Gdańsk catchment.

Name

Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku

Legal name

Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku

Website

https://zut.com.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Zakład Utylizacyjny is a Gdańsk municipal waste utility operating a 67.5-hectare site that sorts, composts, and recovers energy from approximately 300,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per year for over 560,000 residents across four gminas, and sells certified SK-9 compost under the 'Czarne złoto ogrodników' brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Waste Management Services

NAICS

Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Solid Waste Landfill (562212), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Item & White Goods Collection (Bulky Waste) (BPALAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Universal Waste Management (Batteries, Lamps, Mercury Devices, Aerosols) (BPALAFAJ), E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG), Industrial Packaging Waste Services (Pallets, Cardboard, Film, IBCs/Drums—Non-hazardous) (EUAIAGAD), Hazardous Waste & Universal Waste Handling (Batteries, Lamps, Aerosols) (BPABALAE)

Keywords

• Municipal waste management
• Waste disposal services
• Composting facility operations
• Hazardous waste storage
• Leachate treatment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gdansk

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Municipal Waste Processing Fees: The facility processes waste from 4 municipalities (Gdańsk, Kolbudy, Pruszcz Gdański, gmina wiejska Pruszcz Gdański) under municipal waste management contracts. Fees are paid by municipalities for waste processing services, funded by the municipal waste fees collected from residents.
2. Compost Sales (SK-9 / Czarne złoto ogrodników): Sale of certified organic soil improver SK-9 produced from selectively collected bio-waste. Sold at promotional price of 1 PLN per tonne (promotion 'Czarne złoto ogrodników') with free transport, and at regular price of 30 PLN net per tonne for self-collect. The product is also used internally for reclamation projects.
3. Raw Material Sales: Sale of recovered raw materials (recyclables) separated at the sorting station, sold to recycling companies.
4. Commercial Waste Fees: Fee-based waste acceptance from commercial enterprises and non-residents, charged per the applicable price list.
5. Municipal Pricing (Cennik dla gmin): Dedicated pricing structure for municipal clients (gminas) for waste acceptance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku is a municipal waste management utility operating a 67.5-hectare integrated waste treatment complex in Szadółki, Gdańsk. The company collects, sorts, composts, and disposes of municipal waste for over 560,000 residents across four municipalities (Gdańsk, Sopot, Kolbudy, and Pruszcz Gdański), processing approximately 270,000 tonnes of waste annually. It also produces and sells certified compost and operates hazardous waste storage and leachate treatment facilities.

Product overview

Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o.o. w Gdańsku operates as a comprehensive municipal waste management facility serving over 560,000 residents from 4 municipalities (Gdańsk, Kolbudy, Pruszcz Gdański, and rural Pruszcz Gdański). The facility manages approximately 300,000 tonnes of waste annually across its 67.5-hectare site. The core offering consists of waste reception, sorting, and processing services through multiple installations including a sorting plant, two composting facilities (chamber and tunnel), hazardous waste storage, leachate treatment, and landfill cells. The facility produces and sells certified SK-9 soil improver branded as 'Czarne złoto ogrodników' (Black Gold for Gardeners) from its chamber composting plant. Supplementary offerings include community programs such as Miejskie Mikrolasy urban micro-forests, the Wypożycz Choinkę Christmas tree lending program, and educational initiatives. A major upcoming development is the bioelectric power plant scheduled for commissioning in 2028, which will process 60,000 tonnes of bio-waste annually into energy and organic fertilizer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Municipal Waste Collection and Treatment Integrated municipal solid waste collection, sorting, and disposal service for residents and businesses of Gdańsk, Sopot, Kolbudy, and Pruszcz Gdański, processing approximately 270,000 tonnes of waste annually.
• Sorterownia Szadółki (Sorting Plant Szadółki) Waste sorting facility (PSZOK) located in Szadółki that allows residents to deliver segregated waste fractions for proper processing and recycling.
• Sorterownia Rudniki (Sorting Plant Rudniki) Waste sorting facility (PSZOK) located in Rudniki that accepts segregated waste from residents across the service area.
• Chamber Composting Plant (Kompostownia w komorach hermetycznych) Hermetically sealed chamber composting facility that processes biodegradable waste into certified compost products.
• Tunnel Composting Plant (Kompostownia w tunelach) Tunnel-based composting facility for processing biodegradable municipal waste into usable soil amendment products.
• Hazardous Waste Storage (Magazyn odpadów niebezpiecznych) Specialized storage facility for hazardous waste collected from the municipal waste stream, ensuring safe containment before treatment or disposal.
• Leachate Treatment Plant (Oczyszczalnia odcieków) Wastewater treatment facility that processes leachate generated from landfill operations to meet environmental discharge standards.
• Certified Compost Sale - "Czarne złoto ogrodników" (Gardener's Black Gold) Retail sale of SK-9 certified compost produced from processed biodegradable waste, branded as "Gardener's Black Gold," sold to individual customers and gardening businesses.
• Biogas Extraction and Utilization System Network of 300+ biogas extraction wells installed across the landfill site to capture landfill gas for environmental protection and energy utilization.
• Landfill Reclamation and Bentonite Mat Installation Environmental remediation service including installation of bentonite sealing mat under the EPFRZ program for landfill reclamation and groundwater protection.
• Bioelectric Power Plant (Bioelektrociepłownia) - under construction Combined heat and power plant under construction designed to convert landfill biogas into electricity and thermal energy, scheduled for commissioning in the second half of 2028.
• Miejskie Mikrolasy (Urban Microforests Program) Environmental program creating microforests in urban areas as part of the company's ecological and educational initiatives in partnership with local communities.
• Wypożycz Choinkę (Rent a Christmas Tree Program) Rental service offering live potted Christmas trees during the holiday season to promote sustainable celebration practices and reduce waste.
• Wielkie Sprzątanie (Great Cleanup Program) Community cleanup event program coordinating large-scale waste collection efforts across the service area municipalities.
• Environmental Education Program Educational programs delivered to schools and community groups about waste management, recycling, and environmental protection.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~85% material recovery rate on the sorting line
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gdańskie Usługi Komunalne Sp. z o.o. (GUK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGUK is the transport provider for the 'Czarne złoto ogrodników' promotional compost campaign, handling delivery of compost to Gdańsk residents at promotional rates. Both GUK and ZUT are municipal companies of the City of Gdańsk, collaborating on multiple environmental initiatives.
• Pomorski Ośrodek Rehabilitacji Dzikich Zwierząt 'Ostoja'minorOthersCharitable beneficiary of the 'Wypożycz Choinkę' (Rent a Christmas Tree) campaign. Funds raised during the campaign are donated to support wildlife rehabilitation activities.
• Miasto Gdańsk (City of Gdańsk)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Gdańsk is the owner of the facility and the primary municipal client. Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz participated in signing the NFOŚiGW financing agreement for the bioelectricity plant. The facility processes waste from all Gdańsk residents under municipal contracts.
• Port Czystej Energii Sp. z o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort Czystej Energii is building a waste-to-energy plant (Clean Energy Port) on the facility's grounds. When operational, it will process high-energy fraction waste not suitable for recycling, complementing the facility's composting and sorting operations. The facility and Port Czystej Energii together will form one of Poland's most comprehensive waste recovery systems.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FCC Environment CEE: Central European arm of FCC Environment (Spain/Austria-based group) operating waste management services across CEE including Poland. Large established player offering municipal waste contracts as part of broader European portfolio.
• Veolia Polska: Major international waste management and environmental services operator with significant Polish operations including municipal waste collection, sorting, and treatment. Operates broadly in waste management as part of a wider utility portfolio, providing direct competition for municipal contracts.

Direct peers

• Remondis Polska: Polish arm of German waste management giant Remondis, offering comprehensive municipal and commercial waste collection, recycling, and disposal services. Direct peer with similar municipal contract focus and recycling infrastructure.
• FBSerwis: Polish waste management company offering municipal and industrial waste services including collection, sorting, and treatment. Part of Budimex/Ferrovial ecosystem with broad geographic coverage across Poland.
• PreZero Polska: Polish arm of Schwarz Group's PreZero waste management division, providing integrated waste collection, sorting, and recycling services. Competes directly for municipal contracts and commercial waste streams in Poland.
• ECO-ABC: Polish waste management company specializing in selective waste collection, recyclables recovery, and municipal waste services. Direct peer operating in similar selective collection and sorting space with comparable municipal clients.
• Stena Recycling Polska: Polish operations of Swedish recycling company Stena, focused on waste collection, sorting, and material recovery for commercial and municipal clients. Comparable in offering recycling services and recovering raw materials from waste streams.
• Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Oczyszczania w Warszawie (MPO Warszawa): Poland's largest municipal waste management utility serving Warsaw with sorting, composting, and landfill operations. Direct comparable to ZUT as a major Polish municipal waste processor with similar service offerings including PSZOK operations and recyclable recovery.

Regional players

• Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Komunalnej (MPGK Gdynia): Municipal waste management company serving Gdynia in the Tricity metropolitan area. Operates in the same region as ZUT but serves a different city, representing a regional comparable with similar municipal utility structure and service offerings.

Emerging players

• Port Czystej Energii Sp. z o.o. Polish company building a waste-to-energy plant on ZUT's grounds as a strategic partner. Will process high-energy fraction waste not suitable for recycling, complementing ZUT's composting and sorting operations when operational.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zut_gdansk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxPz2Xg5JLIO1TXfs6iAWIA
• Facebookfacebook.com/zaklad.utylizacyjny
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zakladutylizacyjny
• Instagraminstagram.com/zut.gdansk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zakład Utylizacyjny Sp. z o. o. w Gdańsku