Bio Balance eyes plants in Canada, U.S.

Burlington, Ont.-Bio Balance, a joint venture headed by water and wastewater specialist Simpson Environmental Corp., has major plans for building a network of plants in Canada and the U.S. for turning animal processing waste into unique organic fertilizer, according to Simpson CEO Don Cooper. Cooper said Bio Balance, which includes Notra Organics as another partner, plans to locate its first plant in Smithville, also in Ontario in the Niagara area, but has run into a snag with some local council members. The facility, proposed for the West Lincoln industrial park, needs to get a zoning change from the council, but has raised questions about causing an odor nuisance. A columnist for the local paper also voiced objections, saying “all I can visualize are huge trucks, filled with animal offal, bearing down on the stop light in Smithville. It is not a pretty sight.” Cooper responded that there will be no trucking in of animal offal or carcasses, but rather a benign dryed paste material that gives off no odors. The issue is expected to come up again later this month. Bio Balance was formed to build and operate accelerated, aerobic composting facilities for clients in the food processing industry and for municipalities. Cooper told Green Markets that Bio Balance at Smithville and other locations to be selected would be using the residue collected in the washout process, which is actually high in protein. “Small bits in the washout are put through an in-vessel or composter where an anaerobic process results in complete bio-stabilization and locks in the nutrients,” Cooper reported. “Our proprietary and patented processes extract the maximum nutrient value from the organic residue, then seals in its potency so plants benefit throughout their growth curve while the problematic waste stream is virtually eliminated.” He said the Ontario facility could produce 10,000 tons a year of a natural 9-3-3 fertilizer to be bagged and sold for use on lawns, gardens, parks, golf courses, sports fields, and farms.