MEDIA RELEASE (3 Mar22) Environmentally friendly waste treatment plant proposed for Manawatu

March 2022, Category: Company News

New Zealand’s first pyrolysis plant for environmentally-friendly conversion of plastic and commercial waste is astep closer to reality.

Bioplant Manawatu New Zealand Ltd (BPMNZ) has applied for resource consent from Horizons Regional Council to move ahead with its plans, and has worked with Manawatu District Council to identify a preferred site at Kawakawa Road in Feilding which will compliment the newly developed Resource Recovery Centre on the adjacent site.

Pyrolysis is an environmentally-friendly alternative to incineration and has been used internationally for many years. The plant will use pyrolysis to process municipal solid waste that has had all the recyclable material removed, with the end products (synthetic diesel and biochar) being sold commercially, and waste heat being converted into electricity. Combustion gases from the process are then treated before being discharged into the air in line with environmental standards.

BPMNZ is partnering with Australian-based Global Green International Investments (GGII) to build the plant, which will be similar to those installed by GGII overseas, including South Korea’s Hankook Tyre Factory.

On a daily basis, the site will be capable of processing up to 40 tonnes of dry waste, producing up to 14,000 litres of diesel per day, 1.9 MW of electricity and 2.5 tonnes of biochar per day. Much of the waste fed into the plant would otherwise be destined for landfill.

An independent assessor’s report by Pattle Delamore Partners, which was commissioned by Horizons Regional Council last year, concluded that emissions from the plant would be “less than minor,” meaning that the air quality around and in the immediate zone of the plant would meet both National Air Standards (NESAQ) and local regional standards.

As directed by Horizons Regional District Council, BPMNZ consulted on its plans with leaders and representatives of Iwi and Hapu throughout Manawatu region, including Ngati Kauwhata, which holds mana whenua on the proposed site.

BPMNZ Chair Kieran Pollard said the company has discussed its plans with central as well as local government, and the pending introduction of pyrolysis technology to New Zealand has been received favourably.

“Pyrolysis is the most scientifically effective and efficient process available to mitigate the impact of plastics upon the New Zealand environment, and this plant will help Manawatu District Council meet its long-term Greenfield Vision.