Mobile agri-waste unit nets $1m extra for Israeli firm

31-May-2017 - Last updated on 01-Jun-2017 at 10:44 GMT

BATM's Eco-Med mobile unit is the first of its kind for the meat industry

The first mobile unit designed to travel to farms and remove disease-hit poultry has secured an extra $1.1m for the first-ever order of its mobile agri-waste treatment truck.

Israel-based BATM Advanced Communications Limited received an extension to its first order for the Eco-Med unit, lifting the contract’s total value with the unknown vendor to $3.6m.

Around $275,000 of the extension order has been paid upfront as BATM looks set to deliver the world’s first mobile pathogenic waste treatment unit within the next six months.

The extra $1.1m will pay for a stationary unit that BATM claims complements its mobile unit currently being built as per the initial contract.

Eco-friendly waste wagon

When a farm is hit with a disease outbreak – for example, bird flu – affected livestock cannot be transported from the farm and are killed on site. BATM’s Eco-Med truck can be driven to any farm to dispose of livestock affected by diseases faster and more efficiently than conventional methods, the business claims.

The truck also uses a medical sterilisation solution when it renders the livestock. This cleans the meat and by-products which can then be used, although it is not clear whether this would be safe for human consumption.

BATM claims the process is eco-friendly as it creates no odours and does not use hazardous materials or chemicals.

‘Confident’ about growth

“We are very pleased to have received another order for our unique agri-waste treatment solution, which, in addition to its cost advantages and savings, provides a perfect ecological solution,” said Dr Zvi Marom, CEO of BATM.

“With the increasing demand for our systems and the experience that we have gained since launch, we feel confident in soon marketing our agri-waste solution internationally, and we expect to receive more orders based on the ISS [medical serialisation solution] technology this year.”

This is the first-ever order for BATM’s mobile agri-waste treatment unit. Thanks to the contract extension, this is now the company’s third order for a stationary agri-waste unit.

The two other contracts – one for treating poultry, the other for beef – are both progressing as planned, according to BATM.