When completed in October 2011, the plant will be capable of processing up to 60,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial food waste per annum, including a diverse range of food stock from commercial customers such as chocolate, pet food, blood and pastry.  It will also create 50 new jobs, have the potential to produce over 2MW of renewable energy, and save the equivalent of 85,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.  Once fully operational, the company will also manufacture and sell quality digestate produced in accordance with the industry PAS110 standard, and to the exacting Quality Protocol criteria.

JPS was awarded the funding following an open call for bids last year offering support for projects which would divert a significant amount of West Midlands commercial and industrial waste from landfill using an ABPR (Animal By-Product Regulations) compliant process. The development will include a pre-treatment facility, an advanced digestion plant, a biogas system and de-watering system, all of which will be part-funded by the grant, which is being delivered by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) on behalf of AWM (Advantage West Midlands).  In total, it is estimated that 195,000 tonnes of combined commercial and industrial (C&I) waste will be diverted from landfill in the first five years of operation.

Barney Williams, Technical Director at JPS, commented,

“We are delighted to receive this funding from WRAP.  A detailed design of the plant has been finalised and now that we have received planning approval, the project will move into the construction phase later this year.  
 
“This is one of the most exciting projects in the region and a major renewable energy development in the UK. We are looking forward to developing our AD facility as a natural symbiosis between our core business, developed over the past 30 years, and the development of our future renewable energy strategy.”

Steve Creed, Director Business Resource Efficiency WRAP said,

“Since its inception, the AWM Programme has helped many West Midlands recycling businesses of all sizes to develop their operations and this support is forecast to culminate in over 2.5 million tonnes of C&I waste being diverted from landfill by 2015.  The capital funding we provide is crucial in stimulating private investment, as is the case with JPS.  When finished, this AD facility will be a very impressive operation. With feedstock coming from local commercial and industrial waste streams, this will benefit local businesses and create local jobs.”

Mark Pearce, Corporate Director Economic Regeneration, Advantage West Midlands said:

“By supporting regional businesses such as John Pointon & Sons, Advantage West Midlands is leaving a lasting legacy for the West Midlands in the form of new green jobs, growing low carbon industries and more sustainable energy and waste infrastructure. Our £1.44 million investment in this pioneering Anaerobic Digestion facility is testament to Advantage West Midlands’ long-held commitment towards supporting innovative new technologies, enhancing the region’s natural environment and stimulating business growth.”

A study by Advantage West Midlands and the Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste forecasts a waste infrastructure capacity gap of 3.7 million tonnes by 2020 if the West Midland’s waste management sector doesn’t receive the investment and support it needs.
The WRAP/AWM Programme is part of a wider initiative to maximise recycling opportunities in the region.