Glanbia Ingredients Ireland has officially opened its new hi-spec dairy processing facility at Belview, Kilkenny. The plant represents a major strategic development for Irish dairy; it is worth an estimated €400 million per year to the rural economy and will generate around 1,600 jobs in the south east of the country. The company’s investment programme, of over €235 million, represents the largest indigenous infrastructure investment made by an Irish company in 80 years. The investment was made in preparation for the opportunity offered by the removal of EU milk quotas at the end of this month. By 2020, Glanbia’s 4,800 milk suppliers expect to increase milk production by 63%. Currently, it 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. The facility will allow for the manufacture of products 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. 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. CEO of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, Jim Bergin, said that the opening of the plant represents the culmination of a long journey from local vision to the realisation of the global opportunity presented by the removal of EU daily quotas. “This state of the art facility is primed to meet the global demand for the highest quality, sustainably manufactured, nutritional Ingredients. With the capacity enabled here at Belview, working closely with the world’s leading infant formula manufacturers, we hope to increase milk production by 63% over the next five years. “The economic and social contribution of this investment will be felt way beyond the south east of this country, but it will be in local farms, farm families, and farm communities where it will be most pronounced. I am proud of what has been achieved here and even more proud of what I believe is to follow,” Bergin concluded. Glanbia chairman, Liam Herlihy, praised the Glanbia management team who managed the delivery of the plant on time and on budget with just 23 days to go before quota abolition. “With our progressive milk suppliers and this nutritional ingredients facility, built to infant formula standard and run by an experienced management team, I believe we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that the ending of quotas will present for all our stakeholders,” he added. Formally opening the plant, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that he expected 2015 to be the year of rural recovery.  “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,” he said.