We have been interested in the properties of lignocellulosic materials for the uptake and removal of oils. We have screened a wide variety of materials and have found that two materials, manure and barks, are inexpensive and highly effective. We have developed procedures for the treatment and handling of manures and have developed products that are 7 times more effective, and easier to handle, than the clay-based kitty litter type materials. We have created a company and have begun to produce and sell this loose bagged material. At the same time, with partial funding from CAT, we have developed alternatives to melt-blown polypropylene. Melt-blown is formed into mats that are the standards for high end removal of oils from surfaces and a primary method of removal of oils from water. We can produce pads that are equally effective as melt-blown but that are made primarily (70 percent or more) from bark or manure. These are expected to provide a useful alternative to nonrenewable clay or melt-blown products and to generate a sizable market for local manure producers, especially dairies. The anticipated need by the company, Terrenew, for the next year is about 800 tons of locally produced manure, with sizable growth in later years. This solves and environmental problem and creates local jobs.

We began this work as a response to the arsenic pollution at the site of the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park. We proposed a phytoremediation approach, but this was insufficently effective because of low plant availability of the pollutant. This led to a consideration of bioavailability as related to organic materials, and then to the conclusion that lignocelluloses had substantial potential for uptake and removal of both heavy metals and oils. After a significant screening effort, we were able to identify inexpensive but highly effective waste products for these uses.

We have screened products and are developing large scale processing systems. For development of pads, we have contracted with a SC R&D firm that specializes in nonwoven fabrics and have developed materials that work well. We have secured local supplies of manure and determined manure handling processes that give us the most useful materials. The company has developed artwork for bags and secured a local distributor for the product and are talking to a very large distributor.

If successful, we will create a new market for thousands of tons of manure. If so, we will have created a profitable new company in the upstate New York area. Revenues in the coming year are expected to be about $800,000 and several jobs will be created, with rapid expansion in future years.

• The company Terrenew, LLC
• Cornell Center for Advanced Technology

• Terry Spittler (Cornell retired (HS))
• Thomas Bourne (Terrenew LLC)
• Robert Patrick (Cornell (HS))