New Biorefining Technology Provides Solution for Pathogenic Waste

A new Canadian biorefining technology has been adopted by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as a recommended technology for the destruction of all transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and microbiological disease agents. The 175 member countries of the OIE formally approved the technology at the 78th General Session held in Paris in May of 2010 for incorporation into the 2010 Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The thermal hydrolysis “Biorefinex” technology, developed and patented by Biosphere Technologies, a Canadian company located in Alberta, provides an environmentally superior alternative to incineration and landfilling for the disposal of animal carcasses and “specified risk materials (SRMs)” associated with the eradication of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. The Biorefinex technology utilizes saturated steam under high pressure and high temperature to inactivate BSE and other pathogenic agents, and produces safe nutrient by-products in a fast 2 hour cycle. The Biorefinex technology is now certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for treatment of the inedible SRMs now segregated at meat packing plants in accordance with national BSE regulations. An international demonstration biorefinery at Lacombe, Alberta, is in the planning stage, and installations of the Biorefinex process at additional licensed facilities across the country are currently being negotiated.