Poundfield supplies and installs large silage clamp to feed an anaerobic digestion plant for major root vegetable grower

Retaining wall specialist, Poundfield Precast of Ipswich in Suffolk, has recently supplied and constructed a large silage clamp for MH Poskitt as part of a new anaerobic digestion/biogas installation at its Kellington premises in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

MH Poskitt is one of the UK’s leading growers of root vegetables and prides itself on undertaking all washing, packing and distribution tasks from one site in order to maintain full control of all aspects of production. In particular, the company produces some 50,000 tonne of carrots every year using growers throughout the UK in order to maintain a year-round supply.

When the company decided to install an anaerobic digestion/biogas plant to provide all power for its facility, a clamp capable of storing up to 5500 tonne of maize had to be constructed within a 12 week time frame in preparation for the plant’s projected start-up date.

Commenting on the decision to use Poundfield Precast, Guy Poskitt said: “We found several companies able to supply the necessary reinforced concrete panels, but Poundfield was the only one to also offer an installation and after-sales service. As we wanted to deal with just one company to complete the clamp on our behalf, it was an easy decision to choose Poundfield for the job.”

To construct the clamp Poundfield used 55 of its 3 m high L-Blocs plus 56 of its 3 m high heavy-duty Alfablocs. In less than a week these components were used to create a two bay clamp with the rear wall of L-Blocs being securely bolted to the concrete base. Also, to maximise the life of the clamp, all block surfaces have received a special paint treatment to prevent corrosion from leachate.