The Real Petfood Company has commenced the construction of a chimney along with the installation of odour abatement equipment at its Kinmel Park site in Bodelwyddan. The 35-metre chimney will ensure the rapid dispersal of any odours associated with the manufacture of its range of pet food products.
Although planning approval for the chimney was granted last November, agreement had still to be reached with Denbighshire County Council over landscaping and visual aspects such as the positioning of the odour abatement equipment and associated duct work. Managing director James Lawson confirmed the pre-conditions had now all been agreed and the equipment was being located within the factory while the duct work would be behind the chimney to minimise any visual impact.
“Some time ago we took the decision to press ahead with manufacturing the actual chimney which will speed things up and I’m delighted that we can now commence construction work,” he said. “Once operational, the dilution process will mix 65,000m3 of air with 10,000m3 of bakery oven air every hour and propel them at speed up the chimney to ensure full dispersal.”
In addition, the firm is fitting the latest plasma injection technology to further reduce any baking odours. Claimed to be the most sustainable and economical solution available, the system is carbon neutral and does not required any chemicals, water or produce any waste.
“Our team has persevered and found the quietest and most environmentally friendly solution for handling emissions from the bakery,” he added. “We’ve worked really closely with our consultants and also officers from Denbighshire CC to ensure the best possible outcome for all. We only got the final go-ahead at the end of April and groundworks are already underway.
He also confirmed that investment would continue at the Kinmel Park bakery as the business looked to grow annual sales from their current level of some £11 million to more than £25 million over the next two years. This expansion could also see employee numbers increasing from 65 to around 100 over the same period.
Pictured, from left to right: Graham Wheeler and James Lawson of The Real Petfood Company on-site as ground works start on the chimney installation.
