German farm equipment manufacturer Fliegl – best known for its push-off trailers and agricultural machinery – is now hoping to capitalise on the UK’s growing renewable energy sector.
The family-run company, that recently opened a new headquarters and factory in Lincolnshire, has identified the growth of biogas and biomass technology as a key area moving forward. It has been involved in the renewables sector in its native Germany and across other parts of Europe for a number of years – providing feed-in systems for anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, handling of substrate.
Fliegl’s commercial director for the UK, Jose Viedma, said they now hoped to use that experience to help British farmers make their own installations more efficient.
“The renewables sector is an area that we’re already heavily involved in within Europe, with years of experience in both biogas and biomass technologies,” he said. “We know it’s competitive and there are already a lot of other manufacturers, but we think we’ll be able to make inroads into the market.
“We have installed more than 1,100 AD plant feeder systems in Europe – so we’re confident that our quality and technology is second to none.”
Among the products the company will be manufacturing in the UK is the Fliegl Biomat – a stationary feed-in-system for AD plants, made from either steel or plastic. Designed for all raw materials – including maize, grass silage, solid manure and woodchip – the patented push-off feeding floor moves the substrate to the dosing unit in a controlled way.
The Biomat makes use of Fliegl’s patented push off technology for a controlled throughput of substrate. The Biomat delivers energy savings of between 64 and 77 per cent compared to other systems – with a power consumption of between 0.41 and 0.65kWh/t of substrate, depending on how the unit is set-up and which dosing attachment is used.
Mr Viedma said the greater energy efficiency of the Biomat compared to its competitors ensured the costs of operating an AD or biomass plant were kept to an absolute minimum.
“The Biomat is setting new standards in energy efficiency,” he added. “The push-off technology allows for perfect dosing with a low energy requirement, high resistance to wear, low maintenance requirements and a very long service life.
“With its multiple attachments the Biomat is suitable for all substrates, ensuring the system is flexible and can be easily expanded according to demand.”
The Biomat SteelPro – made of high-tensile steel – has a capacity of up to 142 cubic metres, while the Biomat PolyPro – made of hard wearing plastic, resistant to light, acid and alkaline – has a capacity of up to 246 cubic metres.
The sturdy construction of both units means maintenance costs are low, with no chains or complex bearings needed to move the substrate. Adjustable feet also mean the Biomat is suitable for uneven ground.
The units come with precision weighing technology as standard, which can be controlled via touch-screen or remotely.
The Biomat is compatible with all of Fliegl’s various dosing attachments – suitable for breaking up all kinds of substrate, including maize, grass silage, solid manure and woodchip.
For more information visit: www.fliegl.com.
