Biosphere Technologies Inc. releases new Biorefining Technology

EDMONTON , Dec. 3 /CNW/ - The Roslin Institute, a world renowned research organization located in Edinburgh , Scotland, has successfully completed a multi-year test of a new Canadian technology designed to destroy BSE prions. Results of the inactivation process have been published in the 44-2009 edition of Process Biochemistry, a European peer-reviewed scientific journal. The thermal hydrolysis "Biorefinex" process, developed by Biosphere Technologies Inc, a private Alberta company, utilizes high temperature saturated steam and pressure to denature the infectious proteins and other microorganic disease agents, resulting in safe, valuable organic nutrients. This fast cycling, two hour process refines the raw materials into fatty acids, amino acids, minerals and other digestible elements. The technology provides an environmentally beneficial alternative for carcass and organic waste disposal compared to incineration, landfilling or processing with alkaline chemicals which create serious disposal challenges.

Following the outbreak of BSE in Canadian cattle, new regulations were enacted to prohibit "specified risk materials" (SRM's) for use as animal feed. Federal disposal regulations have created a major economic challenge to the livestock industry, and currently thousands of tonnes of carcass material are being buried or composted without certainty of BSE prion destruction. This Biorefinex thermal hydrolysis process is now certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as an alternative for processing of SRM material, and provides the dual advantages of both destroying the infectious proteins and creating valuable nutrient materials for industrial uses.

Biosphere Technologies has patents issued in 18 industrial nations all facing similar organic and carcass waste problems, and is approved for use in the European Community countries. In response to North American and international interest, the company will now begin planning a commercial scale biorefining demonstration facility to be established at Lacombe, Alberta. The Councils of the Town of Lacombe and the County of Lacombe have both passed public resolutions in support of this project. The location is in the center of the Edmonton-Calgary corridor which is a major region for diversified livestock production, and enjoys convenient access to international airports. A significant benefit is the proximity to the Lacombe Research Center, a leading Canadian facility for meat and crop studies. The facility will be designed to process a wide range of inedible animal by-products and carcass materials derived from meat processors and farm mortalities, servicing the cattle, horse, pork, elk, bison and poultry industries. The Lacombe Biorefinery will also hydrolyze organic wet waste from commercial and household sources, providing additional feedstock for anaerobic digestion and the production of biogas and co-generated power and thermal energy. The estimated cost of the biorefinery is approximately 35 million dollars Canadian, and will require two years for public consultations and permit approvals, financing, engineering and construction.

Biosphere Technologies has engaged four industrial firms to begin planning and engineering design: Bearden Engineering Consultants of Red Deer, Gemini Corporation of Calgary , Norrie Engineering of Toronto , and All-Weld Company of Toronto . The Lacombe Biorefinery will incorporate a Biorefinex processing pavilion, anaerobic digestors, biogas co-generation systems, greenhouse and visitor galleries. A section of the plant will be designed for continuing research projects undertaken in collaboration with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada , the Alberta Research Council, Olds College, and the Brooks Crop Diversification Center. These research activities will develop new value-added nutrient products from inedible animal by-products, with applications for organic food production, soil remediation and renewable energy from bio-methane.

Currently the Biorefinex thermal hydrolysis technology is the safest validated process in the world that can destroy prions and transform risk organic materials into beneficial nutrient products. The multiple beneficial objectives that will be showcased to the international community at this Lacombe demonstration biorefinery are:

    
    1)  Protection of human and animal health from infectious organic waste
        and SRM's.

    2)  Recirculation of organic materials to regenerate soil fertility and
        reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

    3)  Increase in the value of livestock to producers by reduction in
        carcass and SRM disposal costs

    4)  Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by converting bio-methane into
        "green" renewable energy.

    5)  Development of Canadian scientific and engineering expertise in
        exportable technologies which will help address the world's emerging
        health and environmental challenges.
    

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Dr. Erick Schmidt, President, Biosphere Technologies Inc: Email: [email protected], Cell phone: [phone], Office phone: [phone], Website: Biorefinex.com