Maturation

The product from the intensive composting stage must then pass through a maturation phase.

The maturation phase begins in the thermophilic range, where all of the remaining simple sugars are broken down. After approximately two weeks the temperature of the pile reduces to the mesophilic range. This allows the actinomycetes and fungi to flourish and decay the lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose materials as well as allowing phytotoxins to be metabolised.