Menu
26/05/2023
£600,000 Invested In Sustainable Solutions For Livestock Waste
Funding of £600,000 has been awarded to six NI firms to develop practical and environmentally friendly solutions for livestock slurry.
A key aim of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) led project is to reduce surplus phosphorus and ensure efficient recycling of organic nutrients within Northern Ireland agriculture whilst contributing to climate targets.
Funding is being provided by the Department for the Economy's Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and DAERA's Green Growth Fund. SBRI provides the public sector with innovative solutions to problems that will drive improvement and allows suppliers to develop products and services working collaboratively with the public sector, enabling them to develop new skills, expertise, and markets.
The potential role for anaerobic digestion of wastes to contribute to emission reductions was highlighted by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their recently published advice report on the carbon budget and path to Net Zero for Northern Ireland. The process of producing biomethane from the anaerobic digestion of wastes can both replace fossil gas and be used with carbon capture and storage to sequester CO2.
The SBRI funding will be used by the companies to create practical and economically viable models where livestock slurry can be separated with minimal nitrogen and methane losses, ideally to produce feedstock which can be used to produce biogas or biomethane via anaerobic digestion (AD). Nutrients remaining post energy production will also be suitably processed to provide a replacement for artificial fertiliser for use in NI or for export.
The six companies have each been awarded £100,000 to develop this work and are due to complete their projects in summer 2023. The companies are B9 (Granville Eco Park, Dungannon in collaboration with ReCon Waste Management, Portadown); Renewables United, Banbridge; The Centre for Competitiveness/LUCERNE, which is a Mid Ulster collaboration between Dale Farm, CEMCOR, Tobermore Concrete and the RSC Group; Blakiston Houston Estate Company, Dundonald; Carbon Technologies Group, Newtownabbey; and Natural World Products, Belfast.
Welcoming the six projects, DAERA's Director of Green Growth Delivery and Climate Action Division, Claire Cockerill said "This SBRI funding is an excellent example of Green Growth in action and a demonstration of government and industry working in tandem to deliver climate action solutions. I very much hope that this feasibility funding will lead to practical and environmentally sustainable solutions for the use of livestock slurry."
Paul Grocott, Head of Economic Strategy at the Department for the Economy added: "SBRI is a highly effective way of encouraging the development of new innovative solutions to public policy challenges. Through this funding, businesses can help deliver a greener economy, in one of our largest sectors, in line with our 10X Economic Vision."
A key aim of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) led project is to reduce surplus phosphorus and ensure efficient recycling of organic nutrients within Northern Ireland agriculture whilst contributing to climate targets.
Funding is being provided by the Department for the Economy's Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and DAERA's Green Growth Fund. SBRI provides the public sector with innovative solutions to problems that will drive improvement and allows suppliers to develop products and services working collaboratively with the public sector, enabling them to develop new skills, expertise, and markets.
The potential role for anaerobic digestion of wastes to contribute to emission reductions was highlighted by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their recently published advice report on the carbon budget and path to Net Zero for Northern Ireland. The process of producing biomethane from the anaerobic digestion of wastes can both replace fossil gas and be used with carbon capture and storage to sequester CO2.
The SBRI funding will be used by the companies to create practical and economically viable models where livestock slurry can be separated with minimal nitrogen and methane losses, ideally to produce feedstock which can be used to produce biogas or biomethane via anaerobic digestion (AD). Nutrients remaining post energy production will also be suitably processed to provide a replacement for artificial fertiliser for use in NI or for export.
The six companies have each been awarded £100,000 to develop this work and are due to complete their projects in summer 2023. The companies are B9 (Granville Eco Park, Dungannon in collaboration with ReCon Waste Management, Portadown); Renewables United, Banbridge; The Centre for Competitiveness/LUCERNE, which is a Mid Ulster collaboration between Dale Farm, CEMCOR, Tobermore Concrete and the RSC Group; Blakiston Houston Estate Company, Dundonald; Carbon Technologies Group, Newtownabbey; and Natural World Products, Belfast.
Welcoming the six projects, DAERA's Director of Green Growth Delivery and Climate Action Division, Claire Cockerill said "This SBRI funding is an excellent example of Green Growth in action and a demonstration of government and industry working in tandem to deliver climate action solutions. I very much hope that this feasibility funding will lead to practical and environmentally sustainable solutions for the use of livestock slurry."
Paul Grocott, Head of Economic Strategy at the Department for the Economy added: "SBRI is a highly effective way of encouraging the development of new innovative solutions to public policy challenges. Through this funding, businesses can help deliver a greener economy, in one of our largest sectors, in line with our 10X Economic Vision."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 August 2024
DAERA Minister Launches New Blue-Green Algae Initiative
A new initiative designed to explore potential solutions to address the ongoing blue-green algae issues at Lough Neagh. Phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue-Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), has been launched by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir.
DAERA Minister Launches New Blue-Green Algae Initiative
A new initiative designed to explore potential solutions to address the ongoing blue-green algae issues at Lough Neagh. Phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue-Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), has been launched by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir.
19 November 2024
Seating Matters To Create 62 New Jobs In £3.7m Investment
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a significant investment by Seating Matters, a leading global manufacturer of therapeutic seating solutions. The company will invest £3.7 million in its facilities in Limavady and Derry, creating 62 new jobs over the next two years.
Seating Matters To Create 62 New Jobs In £3.7m Investment
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a significant investment by Seating Matters, a leading global manufacturer of therapeutic seating solutions. The company will invest £3.7 million in its facilities in Limavady and Derry, creating 62 new jobs over the next two years.
24 October 2024
Health Minister To Improve Services For Children With Disabilities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has unveiled plans to enhance services for children with disabilities in Northern Ireland. The proposed improvements include increasing short breaks capacity and expanding family, therapeutic, and behavioural supports within the community.
Health Minister To Improve Services For Children With Disabilities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has unveiled plans to enhance services for children with disabilities in Northern Ireland. The proposed improvements include increasing short breaks capacity and expanding family, therapeutic, and behavioural supports within the community.
05 February 2024
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
25 September 2023
Alliance Commits To New Funding Proposals For Grassroots Sport
The Alliance Party has committed to bringing forward new funding proposals to support grassroots sports in Northern Ireland.
Alliance Commits To New Funding Proposals For Grassroots Sport
The Alliance Party has committed to bringing forward new funding proposals to support grassroots sports in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
