Eras Eco, the Cork based waste treatment and recycling plant, has announced plans for a €10 million investment in new environmentally friendly technology at its site at Foxhole, Youghal. Ten new full-time jobs will be created once the new facilities are commissioned in addition to approximately 20 jobs during the construction and installation phase.
The key element will be a new green and renewable system for the safe and complete destruction of aqueous organic waste that has been developed by Cork based environmental company, Super Critical Fluids International (SCFI). This innovative system, known as AquaCritox, has been extensively developed and tested in Ireland and Sweden over the past five years.
The system employs super critical water oxidation technology to provide 100% destruction of organic wet waste converting it into clean water. AquaCritox does not generate any odours or harmful emissions or residues. This innovative process is carried out in water and generates steam that can be used to make renewable electricity or used elsewhere on the site. The adoption of the AquaCritox technology will allow Eras Eco to convert the waste streams safely and efficiently into renewable energy thus displacing imported energy.
The company additionally plans to further develop its green energy credentials with the construction of an above ground anaerobic digestion facility on the site to allow for enhanced treatment of bio-solids. The resultant production of methane gas will be used to produce electricity for use on site through a combined heat and power generator.
The upgraded facilities will utilise existing buildings and plant on the site. There will be no increase in the amount of waste permitted under existing permissions and no new entrance points to the site required.