Wiltshire-based biotechnology business Advetec has appointed a new chief executive. Lee Knott joined the company, which turns unrecyclable waste into solid recovered fuel (SRF), in 2021 as chief commercial officer. He succeeds Jim Lovett, who will continue in an advisory role as an investor.

According to Mr Knott, Advetec will spend 2024 helping waste handlers “urgently protect their bottom line” ahead of the introduction of energy from waste (EfW) into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2028. The company counts Max Recycle, J Witt Waste Recycling, the Royal Caribbean Group, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Simon Group and Six Flags among its clients.

Mr Knott said: “Jim has laid excellent technical and commercial foundations for the business, especially with the company’s commitment and investment in R&D and market insight. This year, we’ll build on that legacy.

“Waste operators need to know that innovation can help them comply with new regulations, reduce the reliance on landfill and EfW, optimise performance, save money and reduce carbon – all with minimal risk. Waste innovation is accessible and affordable for all; it’s not only reserved for the largest waste businesses.”

Over the next 12 months, “a strong pipeline” of waste handlers are set to join Advetec, according to Mr Knott. In the spring, the company will also switch on J Witt Waste Recycling’s first biotechnology unit; it is part of an eight-year contract to use Advetec’s largest aerobic biodigester at full capacity, turning up to 10 tonnes of unrecyclable waste into SRF on site daily.

In December 2023, Advetec announced the successful completion of a trial to convert offensive washroom waste into SRF using biotechnology. Over the next year, the business will continue the execution of turning black bag waste into SRF and scale its customer base.

Mr Knott said: “Trials like these demonstrate our confidence in the technology and the possibility of processing other complex waste streams, particularly those where historically there’s been no choice but to send it to landfill or EfW. Trial data creates new use cases and markets and gives waste creators and handlers a proven solution when they need it most. We’re confident we’ll see new waste streams processed with our biotechnology this year.”

Advetec was founded in 2000 and supplies its XO technology to various industries, councils and waste management businesses across the UK and the US. Mr Lovett was at the helm of Advetec for four years, during which time he grew the business from an emerging tech start-up into an established business with growing markets in the UK and US.