Biogen has issued the letter below to residents about upcoming spreading operations.
Dear Resident,
Following your request to be kept informed of our fertiliser spreading operations, we would like to let you know that we will be applying biofertiliser from our Twinwoods Anaerobic Digestion plant to the fields in your area in the coming weeks. As you are aware the Twinwoods plant recycles food waste to produce renewable electricity for the national grid. The biofertiliser produced as part of the process is rich in nutrients and good use is made of it by applying it to farmland.
The biofertiliser is applied twice a year and we are now approaching our second spreading season and will therefore be applying fertiliser to the fields in your area in the coming weeks.
Every effort will be made to ensure minimal disturbance to local residents.
What is anaerobic digestion?
Anaerobic Digestion is a naturally occurring process which breaks down food waste in the same
way as a human stomach to produce methane gas. This occurs in gas tight/fully sealed vessels to enable us to capture the methane that is given off which we convert into electricity and export to the national grid. The Twinwoods plant generates enough electricity to power over 4,500 homes for a year. The second product is the biofertiliser mentioned above which is created as a result of the breakdown of food waste.
Why use biofertiliser?
Biofertiliser produced through anaerobic digestion is a rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements which replaces the need for fossil fuel derived fertilisers. The biofertiliser produced at the Twinwoods facility has been certified to PAS 110. Biofertiliser certification demonstrates compliance with the PAS 110 specification, which means that the biofertiliser derived from the AD process is of consistent quality and fit for purpose, i.e. for spreading to farmland as a replacement for fossil fuel derived fertilisers.
How is it spread?
Biofertiliser is spread using an applicator which either allows it to be injected into the soil surface, or an applicator which trails the product directly onto the soil for maximum crop growth and to minimise the impact of any odour. The biofertiliser has an odour, as does any other fertiliser or manure. Weather conditions play an important role in odour management and every effort will be made to ensure that spreading will only take place under favourable weather conditions to minimise disturbance to local residents. Conditions will be continually monitored throughout the spreading period.
Your feedback is invaluable and can help us adapt our operations where necessary. If you have any queries regarding any of the above or experience any problems during the spreading of the biofertiliser, please do not hesitate to contact us either by email at info@biogen.co.uk or by phone on 0844 3267 251, or out of office hours on 0844 8480 654.
Yours Faithfully,
Kate Lister
Compliance Director
