The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, officially opened Cranfield University’s new anaerobic digestion (AD) research plant yesterday.
The plant, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and supported by Shanks Waste Management, will divert up to 10 tonnes of food waste from landfill annually, whilst also saving up to 5 tonnes of CO2 and producing up to 8 tonnes of biofertiliser each year.
Speaking at the plant’s official opening, Charlotte Morton commented:
“With degressing incentives increasingly impacting on the economic viability of AD, the industry has never been under more pressure to improve operational performance, manage environmental risk and to find ways of maximising the energy and fertiliser outputs of the process.
“Through the collation of data on a larger scale than existing labs, Cranfield’s new research plant should be able to play a major role in developing and testing the next generation of AD technology by providing access to the “plug and play” demonstration facility, enabling companies to robustly and objectively de-risk, test and develop their technologies.
“We will be continuing to support the interaction between the AD industry, academia and the public sector, including through the ADBA R&D Forum during which we will bring together industry leaders and academia to exchange knowledge and explore how R&D can help support the sector’s continued growth.”
The ADBA’s upcoming National Conference in London in December will provide a strategic vision for the AD industry for 2015-2020. With the general election taking place next year, the agenda will pay particular attention to potential changes in the political landscape and how these could affect the AD business.
The Association said the AD industry is already making a significant contribution to food waste recycling, farming and the water sector. While industry growth continues to be encouraging, the new government needs to provide the right support to maintain momentum. Decisions on the Feed-in Tariff, Renewable Heat Incentive and food waste collections will have a critical impact on industry development .
Click here for details of the conference
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