Britcon has developed a long standing relationship with ReFood UK Limited, delivering specialist design and build facilities that support the company’s anaerobic digestion operations across the UK. These highly technical infrastructure projects play a vital role in transforming food waste into renewable energy, helping ReFood achieve its sustainability objectives while expanding its national processing capacity.
As principal contractor, Britcon has successfully delivered industrial buildings, office accommodation and associated infrastructure at multiple ReFood facilities nationwide, including one of the UK’s largest anaerobic digestion plants.
Scope of Works
Britcon provided comprehensive design and build services for a series of anaerobic digestion energy plant developments across the UK. The works included site remediation, earthworks, bulk excavation, cut and fill operations, piling and reinforced concrete structures to support specialist process equipment.
The projects incorporated the construction of structural steel framed industrial facilities, administration offices, highways infrastructure and incoming utility services. Britcon also coordinated the installation of specialist equipment, dock levellers, lifting systems and associated process infrastructure required for the operation of the anaerobic digestion plants. Extensive subcontractor management and stakeholder coordination were undertaken throughout the construction programmes to ensure seamless integration of all specialist elements.
Challenges
Delivering anaerobic digestion facilities presents a unique range of construction and engineering challenges. The projects required complex coordination between multiple specialist contractors responsible for process equipment, mechanical and electrical installations, tank construction and environmental systems.
Working within live industrial environments demanded careful planning to maintain operational continuity while ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance. The technically demanding nature of the reinforced concrete structures, heavy process equipment foundations and large scale utility connections also required meticulous design coordination and programme management. Challenging ground conditions on some sites necessitated remediation works and specialist foundation solutions before construction could commence.
Outcomes
Britcon successfully delivered a portfolio of high quality industrial and office facilities that enable ReFood to expand its waste processing and renewable energy generation capabilities. The completed plants provide robust, efficient and sustainable infrastructure that supports the diversion of food waste from landfill while contributing to the production of green energy and agricultural by products.
The projects strengthened the long term partnership between Britcon and ReFood, with repeat business secured through the successful delivery of previous schemes. Through effective planning, technical expertise and collaborative working, Britcon provided complex industrial facilities that met stringent operational requirements while supporting ReFood’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles.