The waste disposal compamny Shanks has indicated to Torfaen CBC that it intend to submit a planning application in the spring of 2012 for a bio-gas plant to be located on the old Rechem site in Pontyfelin Lane. The plant will process food and other organic wastes by anaerobic digestion to produce bio-gas(methane) which can be used for combined heat and electrical power. the solid residues will be converted to a compost like material. The proposal is in line with the SE Wales Waste strategy of producing energy from waste. The process will be an 'in-vessel' process with the unloading of waste taking place inside the plnt which will be maintained at a negative air pressure and air filters to eliminate any odours. The plant will initially handle 60,000 tonnes of waste per annum with a second phase odfdevelopment.to increase its capacity to 90,000 tonnes.