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Biffa appoints technology provider for anaerobic digestion projects

26th May 2009

Biffa has appointed Ros Roca Envirotec, part of the Ros Roca Environment Group, as the technology provider for its new 80,000 tonne per annum anaerobic digestion facility which it plans to build at Cannock, Staffordshire.

The facility will utilise waste food to generate 4 megawatts of electricity and create a high quality fertiliser.

The process of anaerobic digestion, which breaks down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, significantly reduces the volume and mass of organic waste material, and produces compost which can be used in agriculture to improve soil quality. Using anaerobic digestion as an alternative to landfill avoids emissions of climate changing landfill gas. Anaerobic digestion is a renewable energy source because the process produces a methane rich biogas used in energy production and helping replace fossil fuels.

“This new facility will divert two million tonnes of waste from landfill over its estimated 25-year operational life and is evidence of Biffa’s commitment to create capacity in modern technology to transform waste into renewable energy” said chief executive Andre Horbach.

“We are delighted to have appointed Ros Roca as our preferred supplier and we envisage working closely with them to develop a number of anaerobic digestion plants throughout the UK. After an exhaustive evaluation of a number of technology suppliers we chose Ros Roca because of their extensive experience and proven track record throughout Europe in designing reliable and cost effective large scale industrial anaerobic digestion plants capable of handling a variety food and organic wastes. Their experience will enhance the unique expertise that Biffa has already gained through the development of the UK’s first mixed biodegradable municipal waste AD plant.  This was developed in Leicester in 2003 and generates 1.3 megawatts of renewable electricity.”

Combined with its landfill gas operations Biffa currently has installed capacity for the generation of renewable electricity of 112 megawatts.

Further information or press information is available from David Savory, Director Environment & External Affairs at Biffa. Tel: 0121 661 6710 or david.savory@biffa.co.uk