Plans by the Re-Gen Group to develop a new £22m recycling project in Newry will create 130 jobs and could be worth an additional £25m a year to the economy.
The waste specialist has published its proposal for a new self-funded ‘Circular Economy Resource Park’ on an eight-acre site at the Invest NI Carnbane Business Park, Newry close to the A1.
Re-Gen already employs around 250 people in the area with its core business involving the processing of mixed dry recyclable and residual waste from local authorities on both sides of the Irish Sea.
But it has increasingly invested in new ways of reusing the waste, including producing refuse derived fuel (RDF) and solid recovered fuel (SRF).
Rather than ship the materials it recovers overseas, Re-Gen has said the new Circular Economy Resource Park will allow it to manufacture products locally to be used in local manufacturing processes.
The company said its existing business is worth around £35m a year to the economy. If its new proposal goes ahead, Re-Gen said that annual contribution will rise to £60m.
The company has notified Newry, Mourne and Down District Council of the proposal and has took details of the plans public as part of a consultation phase.
Documents published online detail a four-storey office building that will become the new headquarters for the Re-Gen Group of companies.
Two 51,000 sq ft manufacturing units are also proposed, along with a third 12,000 sq ft building associated with engineering, research and development.
Both manufacturing units will accept materials from the Re-Gen Waste Ltd business.
Re-Gen said it wants to produce solid recovered fuel (SRF) on site, as well as other products derived from recovered paper, card, plastic and glass.
The proposal states:
“The SRF will be dispatched to end markets as a fossil fuel replacement. These end markets will include cement kilns and renewable energy facilities.”
“Other products, including paper, card, plastic and glass will be dispatched to manufacturers or outlets in Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK.”
Subject to planning approval, Re-Gen said work could begin in the autumn of 2021. The nine to 12-month construction phase is expected to involve around 50 jobs, with 130 jobs permanent roles set to be created when the facility is fully operational.
Re-Gen said the development will help ensure the long-term stability of its other businesses, therefore maintaining the current employment of 250 staff.
Further details of the proposals can be viewed via:
www.cerpdevelopment.com