English MBT technologies feature in Juniper study

The work comes as part of a study into 80 MBT systems across Europe being carried out by the Gloucester-based firm.

Dr Kevin Whiting technical director of Juniper described how the larger MBT plants are currently to be found on the Continent. He said: “Most of the large commercial ones are in Germany and Italy. The three systems in the UK are currently demonstrator projects moving towards commercialisation, but none are ready.

“How many years that will take is the unknown quantity at the moment,” he added.

“Producing an MBT facility is not as easy as some people think,” said Dr Whiting. “Some companies take a simple digester and put a trommel in front of it and say it's an MBT, but the process is more complicated than that.”

MBT, which breaks down residual waste over a period of time with a simple combination of a mechanical separation step with a biological process, is a method of diverting waste from landfill.

The end result can be used as a soil-improver; as a fuel for energy recovery or, after the waste is stabilised by MBT, can be sent to landfill. It is an established waste treatment method in continental Europe, however, in the UK MBT technologies are not widely used. Many companies and local authorities are keen to see more research before considering MBT.

“The research is only three months in so we don't have conclusive results yet on whether the MBT systems in England currently being tested are likely to be successful, but it they are, they could help local authorities meet statutory targets,” said Dr Whiting.

Nearly 240,000 is being spent on the study – &#39A; Review of MBT Technologies and Processes: Their Capabilities and Limitations' – commissioned by SITA Environmental Trust. Funding comes through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme with the aim of the research to provide a reference document for waste professionals that compares the performance of all the principal MBT systems. The complete findings are due to be published in early 2005.

• Herhof, which is the preferred bidder for an MBT contract for Lancashire county council, are looking to run an MBT system in Lancashire based on a model they are using in Europe to produce fuel. “We are using this system in Germany and Italy successfully so we are confident that a UK MBT facility should work too,” said projects director at Herhof, John Garvey.