SBRI: Recycling treatment solutions for Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) and wastewater inlet screenings

The ‘Dyfodol Gwyrdd Glân’, / ‘Clean Green Future’ collaborative partnership for Welsh Local Authorities and the Welsh Government have joined with Welsh Water to seek a treatment/ recycling solution for absorbent hygiene product (AHP) waste and wastewater inlet screenings.

Rhondda Cynon Taff Council on behalf of the Dyfodol partnership invite companies or organisations from the private, public and third sectors to submit proposals to develop innovative and research solutions for a treatment/recycling solution of absorbent hygiene product and inlet screenings waste that could potentially be upscaled to service the demands of AHP waste processing across Wales.

The Dyfodol partnership are seeking the development of ideas and technology through two SBRI funded phases (subject to selection) that support the feasibility, development and testing of their innovative solution for the processing of AHP. The Dyfodol partnership are seeking ideas that could potentially be commissioned and contracted to process AHP across Wales for the Local Authorities AHP waste as a minimum, but also wastewater inlet screenings.

This competition has two phases:

Phase 1: Feasibility – Feasibility and development (R&D) SBRI contracts for projects with costs up to £50,000 inclusive of VAT. Up to six Applicants will be selected for Phase 1
Phase 2: Prototype Development & Evaluation – industrial and business research SBRI contracts for projects with eligible costs from up to £1,000,000 inclusive of VAT for prototype development and evaluation/Front End Engineering Design (subject to funding).

A decision to proceed with Phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from Phase 1, availability of further funding and assessment of a separate application into a subsequent phase 2 competition. Only successful applicants from Phase 1 will be able to apply to take part in Phase 2.

The aim of the Project is to seek a solution for Welsh Local Authorities and Welsh Water that:

• Reduces residual waste and recycles AHP waste into an end-product.
• Achieves a minimum demonstrable recycling rate.
• Enables a reduced carbon impact for Wales.
• Supports the green economy, generates community benefits and creates employment within Wales.
• Is affordable to as many participating Local Authorities (LAs) as possible.