Motherwell Bridge looks to microbes for profits growth

ENGINEERING contractor Motherwell Bridge is launching a division to capitalise on soaring demand for "anaerobic digestion" containers.

In anaerobic digestion (AD) bacteria break down biodegradable waste to produce biogas, a mixture of methane and . The biogas can then be burned to produce heat or electricity, or used as a fuel for vehicles.

Russell Ward, chief operating officer of Lanarkshire-based Motherwell Bridge, said: "AD has emerged as one of Europe's fastest-growing renewable energy sectors and the UK government – via its recent Anaerobic Digestion: Shared Goals report – has outlined its commitment to making greater use of AD technologies to generate electricity."

Its bulk storage division has already won a "multimillion" contract to build two AD storage tanks for chemical company Ineos's refinery at Grangemouth.

Ward said a "large number" of gas storage projects had been put on hold last year owing to the recession, adding: "We're now experiencing a significant upturn in demand and the outlook for 2010 is extremely positive".