5 May 2026
Why digestate is being taken off site more frequently now?
You may have noticed an increase in digestate tankers leaving the site recently, and we wanted to explain why this is happening.
Digestate is a natural, nutrient‑rich by‑product of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. It is used as a fertiliser on farmland, helping to recycle nutrients and reduce the need for manufactured fertilisers.
At certain times of the year, we need to move digestate off-site more often. This is usually due to a combination of:
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Seasonal farming activity – Spring is a key spreading period when farmers can apply digestate to land where crops can use the nutrients effectively.
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Storage management – To ensure we remain fully compliant with environmental permits and regulations, digestate must be managed carefully so that storage capacity is maintained.
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Good environmental practice – Removing digestate at the right time helps avoid spreading during unsuitable conditions, such as on wet or frozen ground, later in the year.
We appreciate that increased vehicle movements can be noticeable. All haulage is planned to minimise disruption where possible, and vehicles are required to follow agreed routes and operating hours.
Peak traffic information is available on the front gates of the AD plant, as well as being updated quarterly in advance on the News section of the website.
Link to fertiliser prices
Artificial fertiliser prices have increased significantly in recent years, creating further cost pressures for farmers. Digestate provides a locally produced, lower‑cost alternative that replaces a large proportion of manufactured fertiliser, helping farms remain viable while reducing reliance on fossil‑fuel‑based products. The use of both liquid and solid digestate from our AD plant is supporting farmers in adopting more environmentally sustainable practices, while actively contributing to the development of a circular economy.
Part of a circular economy
This is a good example of the circular economy in action:
- Crops are turned into renewable gas for energy.
- The remaining nutrients are recycled back to land as digestate.
- Crops then grow using those nutrients, completing the cycle.
Nothing is wasted, and nutrients are reused locally instead of being imported or manufactured.
If you have any questions or concerns about the digestate information above, please feel free to contact us via communityrelations@adaptbiogas.com.
