Taoiseach Micheal Martin and ministers Burke and Archibald have announced six successful projects under the €20m Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme.
The grants will support firms across the island of Ireland in taking forward capital projects that integrate sustainable technologies to decarbonise industrial operations.
Leveraging more than €63.5m in private sector funding for capital investment for decarbonisation
Funded by the government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, a total of €20m is allocated, with €10m available in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is leveraging more than €63.5m in private sector funding for capital investment for decarbonisation.
The Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant is part of the €30m Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Of the €30m a total €20m is allocated to the Sustainability Capital Grant, with €10m available in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is leveraging over €63.5m in private sector funding for capital investment for decarbonisation.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I warmly welcome the deepening collaboration by enterprise agencies north and south, through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme.
“There is so much to be gained from island-wide cooperation in working to meet our common climate goals and the Government is pleased to support the Sustainability Capital Grants scheme with a total of €20m through our Shared Island Fund.
“Each of the six projects announced today will combine public and private funding to introduce innovative solutions and technology to decarbonise industrial processes and support sustainable growth and jobs across the island of Ireland.”
Enterprise minister Peter Burke said: “These disruptive and diverse projects, spread across the island of Ireland, will ensure that enterprises are well placed to capitalise on emerging and growth sectors while delivering on net zero commitments, decarbonisation and digital transformation.
“This government will continue to advance our Shared Island investment priorities, working in all-island partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive to co-fund and co-deliver investment that creates a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities.”
Economy minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “I welcome this milestone in the delivery of the successful Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant. The scheme supports the priorities in my economic vision of increasing productivity and decarbonising the economy by investing in innovation. The work that Invest NI, InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland are doing through this scheme is accelerating investment in a sector with huge economic potential across the island, helping us to develop a globally competitive and sustainable economy.”
The scheme aligns with each administration’s Programme for Government, placing a focus on cross-border cooperation to support economic growth, innovation and decarbonisation.
Three companies
The three companies that have been approved for support in Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are:
- Aurivo – installation of a new innovative technology, a first for the dairy processing sector, and a significant opportunity for the decarbonisation of high temperature processes;
- Ecocem - integrates recycled crushed glass to be co-grinded with ground granulated blast furnace slag to create a high-performance, low carbon cement product;
- Gannon Eco - scaling up an industrial process from lab scale that will treat, recover, and recycle previously untreatable hazardous acid waste.
The three companies which have been offered support in Northern Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are:
Jenny Melia, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said: “A key goal for Enterprise Ireland is to support companies to make the transition to the low-carbon, resource-efficient economy of the future and innovative solutions put forward by these six successful projects support this critical agenda. Together with our Shared Island partners, InterTradeIreland and Invest NI, I would like to congratulate all six projects, and we look forward to seeing their innovations come to life, providing impactful solutions to address global challenges through the support of the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme.”
L-R: Economy minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, and enterprise minister Peter Burke.
Kieran Donoghue, chief executive of Invest NI, said: “The Shared Island Capital Grant is a strong example of how collaboration across the island can drive real economic impact. The six projects supported through this grant will accelerate decarbonisation and bring wider benefits to the island through increased use of renewable energy and innovations that will improve the sustainability profile of company operations. I look forward to visiting the three projects in Northern Ireland in the new year.”
Margaret Hearty, chief executive of InterTradeIreland, said: “Decarbonisation and sustainability are key government priorities across the island and are becoming increasingly important for public sector procurement and island-wide supply chains.
“The support offered through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant will assist businesses in developing innovative solutions that will enable them to progress their transition to net zero, and ultimately increase their awareness, knowledge and capability in this area. We look forward to seeing how the successful projects progress and the innovative solutions that will deliver both commercial and environmental benefits across the island."