Adrian Morley: SEM has a portfolio of environmental technology solutions waiting to be fully commercialised. Photo: SEM.

Salmon morts recycling pioneer names new finance chief as it seeks to grow

Scottish waste streams recycling company SEM, which makes a system for extracting useful products from salmon industry mortalities, has appointed a new chief financial officer as it seeks financing for expansion.

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Adrian Morley was most recently head of finance for Biffa Waste Services Ltd and has more than 25 years’ experience as a chartered accountant, having worked in senior financial positions ranging from technology start-ups to listed global brands within the technology, waste and environmental management sectors.

These include Biffa, QinetiQ plc, Shanks Waste Management Ltd, GEC and Siemens. He also brings experience from working geographically across Europe, the Middle East and China.

Aberdeen-based SEM, which has an international customer base and offices in the Netherlands, Middle East and North America, uses disruptive new technologies that process co-products from what would otherwise be waste streams, creating operational efficiencies and delivering innovative water treatment solutions for industry.

PLUTUS

Its products include PLUTUS, which it describes as a leading-edge organic remediation process that revolutionises available technologies to the fish farm sector.

PLUTUS, which is designed to be used on farm sites, separates mort waste into recovered solids, oils and water. The solid and oil fractions can be repurposed into products of high market value.

Recovered solids from Category 2 waste - classed as fish or aquatic material that have died from scenarios such as notifiable diseases or for infection control purposes – can be used to create a natural fertiliser and recovered oils can be made into biodiesel.

Category 3 material includes aquatic animals, and parts of such animals, which did not show any signs of disease communicable to living organisms. Here, the end products of the PLUTUS process include food grade protein and high-grade omega oils.

Bringer of H₂OPE

Another of its technologies, H₂OPE, is designed for reducing and treating food waste, slurry, sewage sludge and manure. By removing volatile contaminants and de-watering, the system can be tailored to optimise valuable ingrained nutrients, leaving a premium grade pelletised fertiliser, or a nutritionally balanced growth media.

Morley said: “SEM has both great technology and dynamic people supporting this energetic growing business, which has sustainability and the circular economy at its core. With a very innovative approach and portfolio of environmental technology solutions waiting to be fully commercialised, it’s a really exciting time to be joining.

“After the initial roll-out of our low-carbon waste management technologies - PLUTUS and H₂OPE - in the local market, the business will be well-positioned for more rapid growth and development overseas.”

Exciting phase

SEM chief operating officer Grant Leslie said: “We are delighted that Adrian is joining us, and supporting our leadership team in the company’s most exciting phase to date.

“His experience and expertise in driving the financial strategy of multinational technology and waste management businesses will stand us in excellent stead as we secure debt and equity financing to expand our global footprint. His appointment is a timely one given the growth in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and impact investment.

“As a company which wholeheartedly believes in the importance of sustainability and the circular economy, it was vital for us to appoint someone who is equally committed to our values and our commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – Adrian is the embodiment of a CFO whose financial acuity is matched by his belief in the value of everything we do - repurposing ‘waste’ and creating in-demand products for a more sustainable, net-zero future.”