Strong start for Anaerobic Digestion at Foodex!

Foodex, the UK show for processing, packaging and logistics, is seeing its waste management show content grow by the minute following its decision to introduce a anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas zone to the show which runs from 25th-27th March at the NEC, Birmingham. The strong interest from exhibitors has surpassed original expectations and led to show organisers, William Reed Business Media, opening up additional floorspace to accommodate the burgeoning demand for stand from AD providers.

Disposal and treatment of organic waste represents a major challenge for the food and drink industry; whether you’re a primary producer, food processor or retailer. The aim of this new Anaerobic Digestion Zone at Foodex is to demonstrate the potential of generating energy from waste that AD is one of the simplest ways to reduce our carbon footprint at company level. It can also provide an additional income stream which can prove invaluable particularly in the current climate.

Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. As part of an integrated waste management system, the process reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere. It is becoming increasingly used as a source of renewable energy and can be applied to all areas – from dairies and breweries, to distilleries and food processing.

Marcus Gover, Director of the Closed Loop Economy at WRAP believes the market, including investors, developers and end users, should be confident of AD as a reliable, safe and profitable resource efficiency process. He comments: “AD is a growing part of the resource efficiency solution, capable of creating renewable energy, and stimulating the green economy and improving the sustainability of commercial agriculture. We really see it as huge opportunity for the UK.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the exhibitors pioneering of use of anaerobic digestion …

Clearfleau (stand E300) designs and builds high rate anaerobic digestion facilities for the on-site treatment of liquid effluents from the dairy, food and drinks sectors. Surplus ingredients or co-products can be fed to the digester. Clearfleau’s innovative plants can be installed on confined sites, enabling clients to reduce effluent and energy costs, whilst generating revenue from energy (electricity and surplus heat) produced.

ENER-G Natural Power Ltd (stand E286) designs, installs and operates biogas combined heat and power (CHP) systems for a variety of digestion plants including BV Dairy which is using an Anaerobic Digestion system to convert waste liquids from the site into biogas. ENER-G Natural Power designed, supplied and now operates a 190kWe CHP system at the dairy, which uses this biogas to generate electricity and heat – dramatically reducing the dairy’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Jim Highnam, Managing Director at BV Dairy said: “We are proud to be pioneers in AD for the UK food industry. The BV Dairy AD plant demonstrates that the technology works and, judging by the interest in our plant from food manufacturers, we expect to see many more companies using AD to generate renewable energy from unavoidable food waste.”

Air Management & Design Ltd (stand D299) will also be exhibiting their new Green Investment Bank loans which have the potential to help many producers or manufacturers to access funds to allow them to plan their environmental options. Hayley Berrisford, Air Management & Design Ltd, says: “We’re exhibiting at the show to increase awareness on anaerobic digestion along with the ADBA stand and hopefully pick some new clients up who require our services to their new plants.”

As Denmark’s leading anaerobic digestion technology supplier, Xergi (stand E290) is well placed to develop and support customers in the UK. With over 20 years of experience Xergi’s design focus suits UK feed-stocks by optimising gas production and minimising downtime. Long-term costs are controlled and minimised with market leading components and superior design ethos.

InSource Energy (stand D281) develops anaerobic digestion projects that create sustainable energy from by-products, waste and effluent. They build, own and operate plants enabling their clients to remain focused on their core activity, but still benefitting from reduced waste and energy costs, and environmental performance.

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) (stand E282), the trade body representing all businesses involved in the anaerobic digestion and biogas industries, will also be exhibiting at the event. Charlotte Morton, ADBA’s Chief Executive comments: “ADBA is pleased to see the significance of anaerobic digestion to the food processing, manufacturing and logistics sectors reflected at Foodex, through the inclusion of an AD and Biogas zone as well as an excellent seminar programme. We have worked hard with Foodex to compile the programme for these AD focussed sessions to ensure that they bring out the range of options available for getting the most out of AD for your business, including building your own AD plant on-site, or getting your food waste collected and sent to an AD plant.”

You can visit the ADBA to find out more about their NEW Farmers’ Consultancy Service, established to help farmers and landowners better understand the potential offered by AD with some free advice from member consultants. ADBA will also be presenting seminars at Foodex on Sunday 25th and Tuesday 27th March in the logistics@foodex theatre.

Other AD exhibitors include Hydrothane UK, Weltec Biopower, Wehre Environmental, Dalkia and Edina.

For further information on exhibiting at Foodex or to register FREE as a visitor please visit http://www.foodex.co.uk.

Foodex will take place at Birmingham’s NEC from 25 to 27 March 2012.

Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.