ADBA member Fernbrook Bio wins Best AD Plant at industry awards

ADBA MEMBER PRESS RELEASE

Empty champagne bottles are being sent for recycling at Fernbrook Bio’s Rothwell Lodge plant in Kettering after winning ‘Best AD Project’ at the first ever UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards, at the NEC on 4 July 2012.

The awards recognise innovation, best practice and achievements across the sector; which is already generating over four times more renewable energy than solar PV.

Shaun Cherry, Fernbrook Bio, Managing Director said:

It is a great honour to be acknowledged as one of the best AD projects in the country

 

The AD industry is still blossoming, that makes innovation absolutely crucial to success. Winning the award is a fantastic accolade; for the team at Rothwell Lodge it is a well deserved recognition of all their hard work, dedication and commitment to innovation, best practice and ensuring the plant surpasses industry standards.

The judges were impressed by the range and quality of submissions detailing some very exciting plans and projects.

Rothwell Lodge have invested in new technology; a fresh air ventilation system now services the plant, neutralising odours and creating a much healthier environment. This ventilation system is the first of its kind in AD.

The plant works closely with a local University to enhance the biology of the digesters, they have an onsite laboratory and technician to carry out digester health analysis and ensure maximum gas yields; the lab is able to carry out analysis for other plants too.

They have recently been awarded the PAS 110 certificate assuring those using digestate as a biofertiliser or soil improver that the product is of a consistent quality and fit for purpose, giving confidence that it is a valuable source of nutrients. It is also less expensive than inorganic soil improvers and requires no permits or licenses from the Environment Agency.

The team are keen to engage with the local community; sixth formers at Wellingborough School toured the plant and shortly afterwards the school implemented a food waste collection scheme which provides feedstock for Rothwell Lodge.

Earlier this year Fernbrook Bio won a seven year contract to treat food waste on behalf of Northampton borough council and Daventry district council. Food waste is collected from the boroughs in caddies supplied to 120,000 households. It is anticipated that as a result of the contract, Northampton and Daventry councils could send as much as 30% less waste to landfill.

Rothwell Lodge has achieved zero packaging waste to landfill, wooden pallets are sent for biomass and any metals in the supermarket waste are collected through magnets and sent for metal recycling.

For further information please contact:

Sharron Mahony, Oddfish PR & Marketing, T: 07887 746 076