Delivering a Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry Solution for Northern Ireland - Project LUCERNE

Pictured (L-R) is Gareth Stewart (Tobermore), Dr. James Young, Jonathan McFerran (Deputy Director DAERA Green Growth), Graham Maze (MD, Road Safety Contracts), Dr. Paul Madden (Centre for Competitiveness), David Henderson (MD, Tobermore), Dr. Allistair Wilkinson (CEMCOR)

Delivering a Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry Solution for Northern Ireland - Project LUCERNE

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) launched its recent Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition in January 2023 for delivering a Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry (SULS) Solution for Northern Ireland. The Mid Ulster Carbon Co-Operative comprising Dale Farm, CEMCOR, Road Safety Contracts and Tobermore facilitated by the Centre for Competitiveness were successful in their application for the feasibility study funding and are pleased to announce commencement of project LUCERNE.

As part of the SULS Feasibility Study, LUCERNE will investigate six key points associated with energy, nutrient and carbon recovery and management which fits directly into the goals and ambitions of the Mid Ulster Group.

A practical solution addressing the core aim of nutrient processing of cattle and/or pig slurry to reduce surplus phosphorous within NI agriculture, ensuring efficient recycling of organic nutrients and to produce renewable energy.

• A mechanism to provide a long-term supply of slurry.
• Address potential issues surrounding fugitive emissions and biosecurity.
• Produce a low carbon or carbon neutral fuel as part of the process.
• A solution to manage nutrient rich material, for use as artificial fertiliser replacement in NI or for export.
• An environmentally and economically sustainable solution.

LUCERNE will promote the knowledge base and understanding of developing a decarbonised circular economy, which links nutrient recovery in NI agriculture, to providing manufacturing and transport with a low carbon source of sustainable secure energy. This integrated approach of agriculture within circular economy manufacturing in Mid Ulster and ultimately Northern Ireland will have wider socio-economic benefits and opportunities not only working in these sectors directly, but also indirectly through jobs, education and upskilling as a requirement to meet decarbonisation and nutrient recovery targets.   

  To find out more get in touch via compete@cforc.org