Greencore offers to look at viable biofuel plans

GREENCORE has offered to look at any economic proposition for the location of biofuel production in Mallow, but has firmly ruled any direct involvement in the sector.

Chief executive David Dilger outlined the group’s view in a letter which came before a meeting of Mallow Town Council last night.

The council had urged the company to explore the possibility of ethanol and biofuel production in light of the recent closure of Mallow Sugar Factory.

Mr Dilger stated that as a food company, Greencore do not have a specific interest in investing in biofuel production and has decided hot to devote resources to studying any direct involvement in the sector.

“We would be prepared to look at any economic proposition for the location of biofuel at Mallow and be prepared to look at a modest investment in the sector by the contribution of facilities and-or land on a commercial basis. Any such proposition would have to be based on sound economic assumptions and would have to give a commercial return on investment,” he said.

County councillor Sean Sherlock said he was disappointed Greencore has no intention of investing in biofuel production from beet at its Mallow plant.

“The only heartening aspect of the letter is the offer by Mr Dilger to consider an economically viable proposition involving the use of land and facilities at the former sugar plant.

“This gives some grounds for optimism in light of a new initiative by the County Manager to explore alternative fuel production options for North Cork following my raising of this matter at May’s meeting of Cork County Council.”

Noting that Mr Dilger will only look at a commercially viable initiative, Cllr Sherlock said it is imperative the Government consider the subsidisation of green crops to ensure a future for tillage farmers and offer some hope to workers who have lost their jobs.

In his letter, Mr Dilger stated that there is much misleading comment about the suitability of the Mallow factory for energy production. From a technical viewpoint, parts of the factory could be used for processing beet to produce ethanol. But the production of ethanol from beet does not represent an economic proposition in Ireland.

“Ireland is not a competitive producer of sugar beet. If it were, we would not have exited the sugar business. The factory is unsuitable for other alternative energy production such as rapeseed oil,” he stated.