2006 report showed ethanol production from beet feasible

A CORK County Council evaluation in 2006 of the viability of ethanol production from beet and wheat at the former sugar factory in Mallow showed it was technically feasible.

Capital investment of €55 to €65 million for plant and modifications, and €25m to €30m to purchase the site, would have been needed, at the time.

By comparison, investment for a greenfield site would have cost €100m to €110m, plus €1m to €2m for agricultural zoned land, or €15m to €20 million for industrial zoned land.