Greencore begins beet processing
Greencore Sugar confirmed that the first lorry loads of beet were delivered for the 120-day round the clock campaign.
It followed the successful conclusion of new equipment testing at the plant which has been upgraded to world-class standards at a cost of some €25m.
The upgrade was necessary because Mallow will, this year, manufacture Ireland’s entire sugar quota following the closure of the Carlow plant last March.
Irish Rail and up to 240 hauliers will over the next four months transport 1.3 million tonnes of beet to the factory. The company’s 185 full-time staff at Mallow is being augmented by 70 seasonal employees for the extended campaign, scheduled to conclude before the end of next January.
Factory Manager Gerry Norton said engineers from the company that manufactured and supplied the new yard equipment carried out successful service tests on this plant during August.
“The main beet conveyor, beet pumps and beet delivery piping were all successfully service tested at the beginning of September. We are looking forward to a successful campaign over the next four months,” he said.
Greencore Sugar managing director Dr Sean Brady said they are all very pleased with the excellent progress that was made in Mallow.
“The Mallow team has excelled itself by working tirelessly over the last six months to ensure that the upgrade work was completed on schedule.
“It’s great to see the first lorry loads of beet arriving in Mallow and the company getting down to the business of efficiently producing quality Irish sugar,” he said.
The campaign takes place against an uncertain future for the Irish sugar industry as the European Union moves to reform the sector.
Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan has voiced strong opposition to the Commission’s initial proposals which she described as unacceptable IFA president John Dillon said beet growers completely reject the proposed reforms as they undermine the viability of those who wish to remain in the industry.
He said the IFA is demanding a viable EU sugar beet price framework for growers committed to the future of the industry.
Mr Dillon said within the proposed budget for restructuring, the aid must to be directed towards growers and not Greencore.
“It is incomprehensible and unacceptable to Irish growers that the processor would be provided with major compensation for exiting the industry,” he said.
