Biotrix Project - Pig Waste in the Philippines

Pig production is growing rapidly in the Philippines but the negative impacts of Pig Farming practices on the local environment are significant. This is particularly acute in the Laguna area east of Manila. Pig Waste is an ideal substrate for anaerobic digestion especially at high ambient temperatures. The "biogas" produced can be used as a substitute natural gas to generate electricity and the liquid effluent can be used as a valuable fertiliser.

Review of the Potential for Anaerobic Digestion of Pig Waste to Generate Renewable Energy in the Philippines

A team comprising staff from Biotrix Asia Company Ltd, Bronzeoak, the Regional Institute for Environmental Technology (RIET) and PhilBIO undertook a number of site visits, interviews and local research into the market for Anaerobic Digestion systems.

The report concluded that the potential was significant eventhough the waste was often dilute and practices quite different to those in the US and Europe. Existing concrete "Maya Farms" digesters developed in the 1970's and 1980s have all fallen into disrepair (except one) due to solids accumulation and lack of maintenance, but there is significant scope for the implementation of new designs. Flexible liner based designs with suitable modifications from the US and European models would be particularly appropriate. This work received an EC Asia Eco-Best Award.

A flexible liner system has since been installed at Rocky Farms in the Philippines, by PhilBIO.