RECP (RECycling Poultry)

Circular Economy through Recycling Poultry Waste for value-added products in
Construction & Agriculture.

There is an increasing demand for poultry products which results in larger volumes of waste
generated. Drives to minimize the environmental impacts of poultry waste are encouraged through
poultry waste management practices. Effective environmental management of poultry waste refers
to an understanding of its composition, the physical, chemical, and microbiological reactions and
the potential end of life options to support circular economy principles. The construction industry
is a main consumer of resources primarily in the extraction of raw materials for the production of
construction products. Cement based materials are key components in the industry with cement
being a major contributor to green-house gas emissions. Concrete presents opportunities for the
recycling of industry by-products and waste materials therefore reducing the consumption of raw
materials and improving its performance.

The project addresses recycling options of waste generated from the poultry industry and
processing techniques, with reference to bone waste and feathers. Waste from the poultry industry
primarily offal, bone, skin and meat are transformed into a fertilizer for the improvement of soil
fertility. The physicochemical changes during the processing of the waste render nutrients more
available for plant uptake. In addition the organic matter content of the soil shall improve hence
leading to the long term release of nutrients and an improvement in the structure of the soil leading
to better soil aeration and water holding capacity. Feathers are processed and exploited as fibres in
cement-based materials. This is achieved through effective waste management programmes, for
the collection and processing, treatment and production of keratin fibres for further exploitation in
composite materials. The rheological properties, early stage cracking behaviour, mechanical and
durability properties of the fibre reinforced concrete are assessed. Fibres are exploited in concrete
to improve its properties including crack control of the composite, enhancing its long-term
durability.

The innovation proposed in the project relies on the transformation of waste and by-products at the
end of life of the poultry industry, relying on new technologies to produce high performance
products in other fields of application. The project presents focused solutions which benefits two
key industries, namely agriculture and construction.

The project is funded through the MCST Malta Council for Science and Technology – Research
Excellence Programme. For further information contact the project Principal Investigator
Prof.Ruben Paul Borg