A new competition, funded by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and focused on delivering a sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry, has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
SBRI provides the public sector with innovative solutions to problems that will drive improvement and allows suppliers to develop products and services working collaboratively with the public-sector, enabling them to develop new skills, expertise and markets. Launched in Northern Ireland in 2009, the programme supports diverse projects across the public sector.
DAERA is seeking practical and self-sufficient models applicable to Northern Ireland (NI), which must address the core aim of nutrient separation / processing of livestock slurry (particularly from cattle and pigs) to reduce surplus phosphorus within NI agriculture and ensure efficient recycling of organic nutrients.
A successful solution for DAERA will provide a practical and economically viable solution where livestock slurry could be separated with minimal nitrogen and methane losses, ideally to produce feedstock, in a biosecure manner, for energy production. Nutrients remaining post energy production should also be suitably processed to provide a replacement for artificial fertiliser for use in NI or for export.
This competition has a total budget of £500,000 (ex VAT) for SBRI Phase 1 work and It is anticipated that at least the 5 highest scoring bidders will be selected; each of the successful bidders will receive an amount in accordance with their bid, but subject to a maximum amount per bidder of £100,000 (ex VAT).
Competition Details
To find out more about the competition’s terms and conditions, or to submit an application, further information can be found by clicking here.
Briefing Event
A briefing event to complement to launch of this competition will be held online on Tuesday 17 January and is free to attend. You can find out more about the event by clicking here.