Emerald Biogas opens facility in England

U.K.-based Emerald Biogas opened its ₤8 million ($13.26 million) food waste to energy facility at the Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate in northern England.

“The opening of the food waste plant builds on the success and experience of the team, which was created by the partnership of directors from regional businesses John Warren ABP and Agricore,” said Adam Warren, director of Emerald Biogas. “Through this investment we will contribute a continued source of renewable energy to local businesses, while also providing a sustainable solution for dealing with food waste which traditionally goes to landfill.”

Funding was secured from the Rural Development Program for England and through HSBC.  “Dealing with waste properly not only benefits the environment but will also help create jobs and build a stronger economy,” said Dan Rogerson, waste minister and Member of Parliament for North Cornwall, at a VIP launch gathering. “Our ₤2 million grant has helped develop this plant which will treat food waste and recycle valuable nutrients back to the land.”

Two partners will assist Emerald Biogas in the project. John Warren ABP will collect the needed 50,000 metric tons of recycled food waste from local businesses to enable the facility to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2,000 homes annually. Agricore will distribute the bio-fertilizer to land owners within a ten-mile radius of the plant.