Belview plant officially opens

The opening of our new nutritional ingredients plant in Belview is a historic day for Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII).

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD was joined by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan; Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD; and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD to officially open Glanbia Ingredients Ireland’s hi-spec infant formula standard facility on Thursday 05 March. The opening represents a major strategic development for Irish dairy, with the plant at Belview a national flagship for the sector.

Formally opening the plant An Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated: "2015 will be the year of rural recovery because of developments like the one being announced today. This is a very significant day for the country's dairy sector and for the South East region. This Glanbia facility will allow Ireland to maximise the job potential from increased production following the end of EU milk quotas. It will also provide a boost to the rural economy with the creation of 1,600 direct and indirect jobs and the knock-on benefits for local businesses and communities. As such it is an important strategic development in the Government's work to secure the recovery."

With support from the government via Enterprise Ireland, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland’s investment programme of over €235M represents the largest indigenous infrastructure investment made by an Irish company in 80 years, in preparation for the generational opportunity offered by the removal of EU milk quotas at the end of this month. The facility will create employment for 1,600 direct and indirect jobs while contributing an estimated €400 million p.a. to the economy. The dairy industry purchases 90% of its inputs from the domestic economy, therefore this will particularly benefit farm families and rural communities.

By 2020, Glanbia’s 4,800 milk suppliers expect to increase milk production by 63%. Currently Glanbia Ingredients Ireland processes 1.8 billion litres of milk or 30% of Ireland’s milk pool into a range of dairy ingredients for export to more than 50 countries.

Ireland’s green credentials provide a differentiated positioning in the global marketplace where our pasture based family farming method of dairying produces a highly sustainable range of quality ingredients. Glanbia Ingredients Ireland has prioritised sustainability as a key focus for its business within its Open Source Sustainability and Quality Assurance code.

The facility will allow for the manufacture of specialised milk powder products and nutritional ingredients to meet the demands of multi-nationals in infant formula and other industries operating in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Central America. All produce from the new facility will be destined for export markets.