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The two new AD plants, in Widnes and Dagenham, represent £44m of the total investment under PDM’s ReFood business and build on the learning that came out of construction of the Doncaster plant in 2011.
The Widnes facility, due for completion at the end of the year, will have 50% more capacity than the Doncaster site, meaning it will be capable of handling 90,000 tonnes of commercial and domestic food waste. It also includes three combined heat and power (CHP) engines to convert the biogas produced into renewable electricity. Overall it will generate enough energy to power approximately 8,000 homes. The digestate by-product will be used by local farmers to fertilise crops.
The Dagenham plant, due to commence construction later this year, will, in addition, produce bio-methane for export to the Gas Grid or for commercial vehicles and buses.
Other projects include a £29m investment to upgrade its animal by-product rendering operations in Nuneaton and Widnes and £18m for its pet food processing facilities.
Speaking exclusively to edie earlier this month, PDM Group’s commercial director Philip Simpson said the business was investing heavily in preparation for high growth opportunities over the next five years.
However, he said, “There is a requirement for behaviour change among businesses, particularly in this field, if they are to realise the benefits of switching from landfill to recovery.” He said this gap, particularly in SMEs, was key in driving value from food waste.
edie staff
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