Biosphere Technologies Inc
Press Release for publication Friday, December 6 Final
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 cogenerated 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:
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Protection of human and animal health from infectious organic waste and SRM’s.
Recirculation of organic materials to regenerate soil fertility and reduce dependence
on chemical fertilizers.
Increase in the value of livestock to producers by reduction in carcass and SRM
disposal costs
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by converting bio-methane into “green”
renewable energy.
Development of Canadian scientific and engineering expertise in exportable
technologies which will help address the world’s emerging health and environmental
challenges.
For information contact:
Dr. Erick Schmidt, President
Biosphere Technologies Inc: Email: [email protected]
Cell phone: 403-704-3493; Office phone: 403-783-6396
Website: Biorefinex.com
Photo attached