Animal waste management plant inaugurated in Marsa

The new plant would help in reducing energy losses in the incineration process as well as reducing harmful emissions

Wasteserv inaugurated a $12 million animal waste management in Marsa earlier today.

Speaking at the inauguration of this new Wateserv EU-funded autoclave rendering plant for the treatment of animal waste, Wasteserv CEO Tonio Montebello said that the job was part of its drive to improve the nation ’s waste treatment infrastructure.

Montebello also explained that the plant would result in substantial savings made in the incineration plant, which processes some 6,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Projects manager Jean Luke Zarb stated that the issue with the current system was that plenty of energy was being wasted in incinerating water or fats on the carcasses.

“This plant will work essentially as an industrial pressure cooker in it will dry up the carcasses ahead,” he said, adding that this could ultimately result in less energy needed by the incinerator.

He added that the fats would also be used as fuel for the plant itself, therefore reducing its fuel consumption.

Stressing that the plant would also be used to treat substances coming from Gozo, Montebello said that the new plant would also banish issues that normally rose when the incinerator was under care, ensuring a seamless transition and functioning.

Environment minister Leo Brincat said the drop in fuel consumption would also ultimately result in less harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“Another novelty that the plant will introduce, is in expired foodstuffs containing animal by products, which would normally have to be incinerated,” he said using a pizza with meat as an example.

“The plant will enable us to treat these foods and then forward them to other treatments plants to turn them into biofuels,” he added.

EU funds parliamentary secretary Ian Borg added that the undertaking, 85 percent of which was funded by the EU, was also completed in record time – about a year.

“The government is also currently assessing projects for the latest $200 million fund package under the European Regional Development Fund,” he said.

“The government is also currently evaluating projects for the latest €200 million fund package under the European Regional Development Fund,” he said.

From: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/61095/animal_waste_management_plant_inaugurated_in_marsa#.VqX95lK-LmK