Biogen plant becomes first in Wales to receive BCS certification

Biogen’s GwyriAD anaerobic digestion (AD) plant has achieved a certification under the REAL Biofertiliser Certification Scheme (BCS), becoming the first in Wales to do so.

Biofertilisers are a cost effective, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil-based fertilisers imported from overseas. The certification proves that the plant complies with the PAS 110 specification and the AD Quality Protocol.

Certification manager at REAL Ciaran Burns said: "This project is an exemplar for the industry. Working together, the Welsh Government, WRAP Cymru and Biogen, have delivered a plant, which ideally meets the needs of the local authority whilst deriving maximum economic and environmental benefit from the food waste inputs.

"This project sets the standard for others in Wales to follow."

The plant produces renewable electricity by converting food waste and a co-product called digestate, which the company refers to as certified biofertiliser.

It will be able to provide green electricity to 700 homes from 11,000t of food waste every year and has been developed as part of the Wales procurement programme, which was set up by the Welsh Government to develop a network of AD plants across Wales.

The BCS and WRAP Cymru provided technical and commercial expertise for the programme.

WRAP Cymru organics project manager Ruta Dauksaite said: "It’s great to have the first Biofertiliser certification awarded in Wales. The AD sector is an important business area for Wales, and by achieving certification it means producers can verify that the material is a safe and quality product that is fit for purpose."

The certification also provides benefits to local authorities by helping them to count food waste AD towards their recycling targets.

AD operators benefit because they get a better deal for the digestate and the farmers also benefit because they get safe and good quality digestate.

Biogen CEO Julian O’Neill said: "We are delighted that GwryiAD has become our third AD plant to achieve PAS 110.

"The fact that the biofertiliser produced by our plants can now be defined as a product rather than a waste can only help boost confidence in our AD process with our partners in the farming community."