News in brief

Environment Agency revises AD protocol

The document updates the original protocol, first published in 2010, and provides greater clarity over acceptable input materials and their associated codes.

The revised protocol is applicable in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a two month transition period existing for producers and users until April 10 this year.

Hosted on the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL)-operated Biofertiliser Certification Scheme website, changes to the new protocol include:

The requirement for land managers using digestate to maintain records for the specific purposes of the Quality Protocol has been removed.
Appendix B (acceptable inputs) has been updated to provide clarification of acceptable inputs and associated codes, including additional codes to describe waste that is subject to certain forms of pre-treatment at facilities between the site of waste production and the AD facility.
Tanning liquor and sludges from leather production have been removed from Appendix B.

REAL Certification manager Ciaran Burns, said: With the Environment Agencys ADQP, which the REA lobbied for in 2009, and REALs non-profit Biofertiliser Certification Scheme, the UK has the only national end-of-waste regulatory framework in Europe.

Along with the forthcoming update to the PAS110, these updates will provide clarity on the regulations for digestate producers and further build confidence in the market for biofertiliser.

AMCS Group acquires PC Scale Technologies

Waste vehicle software provider AMCS Group has acquired US-based PC Scale Technologies, consolidating its market position.

PC Scales Technology, which provides on-vehicle technology solutions for the waste and recycling industry, has an annual turnover of approximately 6 million and employs 50 staff across the United States.

The new division of AMCS Group will be led by PC Scales current chief operating officer Ken Good.

PCST founder and chief executive officer Donald Tefft said: AMCS Group and PCSTs shared values and focus on providing superior customer service was a key component of this deal. I have complete confidence that AMCS will maintain this focus and continue delivering the products and service levels that have helped our customers grow and become so successful.

The acquisition follows a 19 million investment for Glasgow-based AMCS Group, by Highland Capital Partners and Investec.

B&M invests 1m in RDF facility

B&M Waste Services is investing 1 million in a refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production facility at its site in Trafford Park, Manchester.

B&M, which is contracted to send RDF for recovery in Germany, will separate recyclables from collected commercial waste at the plant and export any non-recyclable material to a combined heat and power site to be used in district heating.

The firm will also create five new jobs in the North West area through the opening of the facility, as well as further opportunities for its existing workforce of 170 staff.

B&M director Neil Curtis said: This is a substantial investment which further demonstrates our commitment to providing an economic and environmentally sound alternative to fossil fuels. Since B&M was established in 1999 the business has grown organically and this facility is just one facet of an ambitious expansion plan which will take our services into more geographical areas and sectors.

It is essential to find new ways of preserving the earth’s resources for future generations. We are now contracted to deliver significant quantities of RDF to an established German utility provider.

John Laing sells waste assets to new fund

Assets manager John Laing intends to sell its seven operational environmental infrastructure assets to newly launched fund, John Laing Environmental Assets Group Limited (JLEN).

The company is currently focussed on building its onshore wind, solar photovoltaic, waste management and biomass portfolio in the UK and Northern Europe.

It currently owns 16 environmental infrastructure assets, 14 of which are based in the UK. The two waste assets comprise facilites processing and recycling municipal waste at Dumfries and Galloway and in East London.

The divestment will be concluded upon the successful completion of JLENs initial public offering, which has been announced separately.

Commenting on the divestment, Adrian Ewer, chief executive of John Laing, said: John Laing has responded to the governments increase in focus on economic infrastructure by developing its portfolio of assets in the environmental infrastructure sector.

We have successfully executed this strategy previously with JLIF and, with significant prospects ahead to acquire further environmental infrastructure assets in the UK and internationally, we look forward to providing JLEN with further opportunities from our environmental infrastructure portfolio.

GMWDA sets budget for 2014/15

The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has set its budget and levy for 2014/15.

The authority approved a 0% increase in levy for the financial year, with a medium term financial plan projection of a 3% reduction in 2015/16.

GMWDA also continues to show progress in its 25-year waste management contract with Viridor, which was signed in 2009.

The deal is providing a 631 million investment in new facilities and will see the final two sites, the Runcon combined heat and power plant and its MBT facility in Stockport completed during 2014/15.

Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of GMWDA, said: This is great news for residents and shows what can be done through a strong Contract and by residents getting behind recycling. Whilst this is good news all round, we can and should, do better at recycling.

We are asking residents to continue supporting the Authority with our aim is zero waste. With our residents help we can achieve these targets, which will drive out further financial benefits and also do our bit to reduce the carbon dioxide we produce, hence helping to address the impact of climate change.