Executive Summary

This project was one of the large-scale integrated projects undertaken in the Environmentally Sustainable Conversion Options for Large Volume Organic Wastes in Ireland, forming part of the Environmental RTDI programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

It was undertaken by a consortium of public organisations and private businesses with 50% cofunding from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

The project examined a potential solution to someaspects of the problem of slurry disposal from large-scaleintensive pig units and consisted of three distinct phases:

(i) Mechanical separation of pig slurry solids

(ii) Composting pig solids with other biodegradablewastes, and

(iii) Granulation of compost/mineral fertilisermixtures to produce organo–mineral fertilisers.

It was co-ordinated by Mr. T.A. Stewart, AgriculturalConsultant with Philip Farrelly & Co., Navan, Co. Meath,acting as the Lead Partner.Project deliverables included:

• The production of up to 50 tonnes of separated pigslurry solids for composting with other locallyavailable biodegradable wastes
• Composting eight batches of separated pig slurrysolids with varying combinations of other wastes,each batch consisting of 4–10 tonnes
• Producing up to eight granulated fertiliser batchesfrom the composts made
• Undertaking a market evaluation of the fertiliserproducts produced
• Carrying out a range of physical, chemical andbiological tests on the composts and fertilisersproduced, and
• Assessing the economic viability of the treatmentprocess examined and its potential environmentalimpact.

Full executive summary in report.