The easing of production standards for solid fuel made from livestock manure is expected to expand the use of renewable energy in the livestock sector. The government plans to allow the use of auxiliary materials to increase calorific value and relax molding requirements to promote the production and distribution of solid fuel.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the 'Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Manure' was approved at a Cabinet meeting on July 21. The amendment will be announced on July 30 and will take effect immediately.
This revision aims to reduce environmental pollution caused by improperly treated livestock manure while utilizing it as a renewable energy source to support greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality in the livestock sector. Previously, solid fuel production was only possible if livestock manure was molded into specific forms, such as pellets. However, production in unmolded forms will now be permitted if safety measures are in place to prevent fires caused by dust.
Additionally, while solid fuel production was previously limited to livestock manure, the new regulations will allow for the mixing of auxiliary materials such as crop byproducts, coffee grounds, and sawdust, up to a limit of 40% to supplement calorific value. The minimum calorific value standard for solid fuel produced solely from livestock manure will also be relaxed from 3,000 kcal per kilogram to 2,000 kcal.
The government expects that this easing of standards will broaden the scope of livestock manure solid fuel usage, which has been limited due to economic viability, and alleviate some of the burden on livestock farms regarding manure disposal. The expanded use of this renewable energy source is also anticipated to enhance greenhouse gas reduction effects.
Alongside the regulatory easing, the government has strengthened management standards. Livestock farms and manure treatment operators must submit facility installation and operation plans to ensure compliance with component standards, as well as plans for securing solid fuel usage facilities when establishing solid fuel production facilities. Administrative agencies will review the feasibility of solid fuel production and the availability of usage facilities based on these submissions.
Furthermore, any changes to the mixing ratio of auxiliary materials will require approval, and the treatment methods and usage amounts must be recorded in a management ledger and retained for three years. The installation and management standards for solid fuel production facilities will also be clearly defined to prevent environmental pollution.
Kim Eun-kyung, Director of Water Environment Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, stated, "This amendment will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the livestock sector by utilizing livestock manure as a renewable energy source, while also helping to activate the solid fuel market and diversify manure treatment, thereby improving water quality in public waters."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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