SYNERGIE ENVIRON TO MANAGE BUILD OF “GREEN” ENERGY-FROM-WASTE PLANT – FIRST OF ITS KIND IN UK
Synergie Environ are working in partnership with Dudley-based pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Sterling Pharma Solutions, to develop a cutting-edge bio-plant enhancement at its Cramlington site to boost the sustainability of its operations and contribute to the UK’s green gas initiative for action against climate change.
The first of its kind in the UK, the anaerobic plant will uniquely use liquid waste feedstocks with high organic content and convert them into clean, green energy, cutting carbon emissions substantially and providing green gas sufficient for hundreds of homes across Northumberland.
As a result, the enhanced bio-plant will minimise waste from the Sterling facility and offset greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 6,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Brian Peutherer, HSE Director at Sterling, said: “Sterling aspire towards a carbon-neutral operation. Our recent carbon foot-print assessment shows that this is within our grasp and our bio-plant investment is a major step along this journey. We will be supplying low carbon energy to the local distribution grid, which will ultimately benefit the environment and the community. This project is one of many which will enhance sustainability on our site and lead to a cleaner, greener Northumberland.”
Sterling’s new plant will use anaerobic micro-organisms to form biogas from liquid waste produced during its manufacturing operations. This biogas will then be purified to produce biomethane that will be injected back in the national gas grid.
In addition, by processing more waste on site, the bio-plant will reduce vehicle movements from the facility by the equivalent of 90 HGVs per year, taking vehicles off the road and saving a further 55 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Uisdean Fraser, Managing Director, SEL added: “This is a real first for the UK and we’re delighted to be able to support Sterling as it plays its part in reducing the environmental footprint of pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the country as a whole.
Work on the new facility, which will dovetail into Sterling’s existing on site bio-plant, commenced in December 2020 and will be fully commissioned by March 2022.
