According to the company, the new technology aims to divert substantial amounts of mixed waste from landfill and produce a range of chemicals of chemicals and fuels to replace the use fossil-resource based products.
Wilson-Chemical has developed a rotating autoclave which can treat the biological portion of MSW with steam and high pressure and convert it into a sterile fibre. The plant is expected to process 150.000 tonnes of waste per year.
Wilson is now working with the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC, a University of York subsidiary) and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products at the University of York on a variety of projects to test the fermentation process as well as the feasibility for use in bioenergy. Wilson is also collaborating on an EU-funded research project aiming to effectively turn the fibre into biofuel as well as high-value chemicals.