Poultry Litter
Local waste processing of poultry litter, turning ecological threat into climate positive outcomes.
Time for change
Poultry litter is traditionally used as fertiliser which while a good way to deliver much needed phosphorus to agricultural land, when over applied, can cause catastrophic ecological damage to nearby waterways through run-off.
Growth in the poultry industry and restrictions on transportation for disease prevention mean that in many areas limits have been exceeded and new solutions are needed...
Fertiliser without the pollution
The biochar made from poultry litter retains the phosphorus and nitrogen and when applied to the land releases the nutrients slowly compared to poultry litter. This means all the nutrients are absorbed by the plants so there is no run-off.
Made safe at source
Pyrolysis treats biomass onsite at high temperature killing all pathogens and removing ammonia. And it runs constantly, reducing storage and transportation and reducing risks of disease and run-off.
Green energy
The process is self-sustaining requiring no external energy inputs, but also generates emissions-free excess energy. This can be used onsite for heating and hot water.
Carbon removal
Poultry litter is high in carbon, meaning that the CO2 originally absorbed by the plant matter in the food chain can be captured and stored for centuries in the biochar. This helps your business and the planet towards net zero, and qualifies for carbon credits to help fund the project.
Let's talk poultry
Pyrolysis vs Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
The AD process degrades the nutritional value of the poultry litter, and the resultant AD cake remains hard to dispose of, and it too is frequently applied to land.
However, the AD industry at large is finding that adding biochar to digestate can act as a stabiliser and increase biogas yields by up to 15%, so pyrolysis can positively impact AD operations too.
Specialist technology
For waste with high moisture content, we deploy specialist patented technology which combines the drying process with the pyrolysis itself, making it fully self-sustaining. Running 24/7, it can eliminate your need for storage and transportation while delivering high-quality biochar and valuable green energy onsite.
Eliminating waterway pollution
Ecological damage to waterways
from intensive poultry farming is at crisis levels, resulting in growing public and political outcry.
Nutrient run-off from land spreading causes algae blooms and toxicity to animal life leaving ecosystems critically degraded. In the UK, the River Wye is the worst affected, but all waterways close to poultry farming are under threat.
Working together
Onsite solutions
For farms generating over 1,500t of poultry litter per year, Onnu can build, own and operate a pyrolysis plant at your site, taking care of CAPEX and all aspects of the operations.
We charge a processing fee for your poultry litter, which in most cases is less than current disposal costs.
Any emissions-free energy provided is charged at a competitive rate.
Profits from the sale of biochar produced from your waste would be shared with you.
Onnu hubs
Onnu are building poultry litter pyrolysis hubs in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys to serve the River Wye catchment.
If you are local we will arrange removal of your poultry litter and safe local processing to produce biochar.
Will it work for you?
Our Feasibility Report will:
Quantify the carbon impact of your
current practices, and compare
with a pyrolysis solution
Analyse your waste streams and
scope solution options
Project commercials
