Malta launches its first autoclave to turn animal fat into fuel

Malta has unveiled its first autoclave, a pressure chamber capable of extracting animal fat from carcasses, in Marsa — a town based in the country's south eastern region.

Wasteserv, a Maltese Government-owned waste management company, launched the facility at the south east-based town today [12 January, 2015]. The organisation will process animal fat and use it to power the country's incinerator.

The €12m project, partly financed through EU funds, will treat animal waste generated in Malta and Gozo, as well as other hazardous waste.

Speaking at the launch of the autoclave, Malta's Environment Minister, Leo Brincat, said: "Today [12 January, 2015] we are inaugurating a project which will facilitate the processing of animal waste in Marsa.

"Up to today, when the incinerator is undergoing maintenance the process of incineration would have had to sop and all carcasses would be stored in freezers until the incinerator in back in operation. With this state of the art project the process will continue seamlessly."

David Borg, Wasteserv's chairman, said the autoclave would also cut down on odour and pollution, while contributing to lower energy and fuel, resulting in a positive effect on climate change.

The autoclave will treat animal by-products from the civil abattoir and private slaughter houses, currently totalling 6,000 tonnes a year. The plant will also treat animal waste, which will be transferred for incineration once treated.

Energy released from the plant will also be used to produce hot water for washing purposes.

Also present at the inauguration was parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg, who expressed his satisfaction at the government's commitment to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.