1. Organics Recycling Research Library

Project Overview

The Research Library (available at www.realresearchlibrary.com) is an online platform containing hundreds of research articles, technical reports, and policy papers on composting and anaerobic digestion.

The Research Library is regularly updated with new literature to reflect the ongoing developments in the organics recycling sector, particularly focusing on work from the past decade and of relevance to the UK. The Research Library also contains the results of a 2020 gap analysis and collates current research gaps, highlighting key areas for further research.  The ‘Submit Research’ feature also allows researchers in the field to submit their articles to be added to the Research Library.

The Research Library is a valuable tool to advance the composting and AD industries by:

• Providing operators with centralised access to industry-related information across a range of topics (e.g., Associated Emissions, Feedstock & Pre-treatment, Process Optimisation, etc.)
• Identifying under-researched areas within the sector to inform future Research Project Proposals submitted to the Research Hub.
• Preventing research duplication, thus mitigating misuse of research funds
• Informing regulators’ and industry stakeholders’ decision-making to support industry development.

Below is the search page of the Research Library, which can be seen after logging in.  

How to Access the Research Library

All Research Library Users must have a User ID and Password to access the library. CCS and BCS participants are issued access credentials when they join their respective scheme. Other parties should email the Research Hub Manager to request access or visit the webpage and select the 'Request access here' option.

Project Selection and Delivery Details

In 2019, the Research Panel recommended the project for funding. Following a competitive tender period, REAL appointed NNFCC, in partnership with Vital, as the project contractor in December 2019. Work commenced in June 2020 and the Research Library was completed as scheduled in January 2021 and culminated in the launch of the Organics Recycling Research Library. The total cost to deliver the Research Library was £68,674 (excl. VAT).

REAL has contracted NNFCC and Vital to maintain the Research Library for at least two years following project completion.

Associated Documents

• The Project Brief, which summarises the research scope and objectives, can be found here.
• The Tender Invitation Document (TID), which was used to invite potential contractors to tender for the work, can be found here.