Aurivo to install €12m wood pellet burner at dairy ingredients facility
(Left to right) Donal Tierney, CEO, Aurivo Co-operative Society, minister Alan Dillon, and Tom Cusack, head of Food & Climatetech at Enterprise Ireland.
A €12m investment for a first-of-its-kind wood pellet burner and broiler system will be added to Aurivo Co-Operative Society's dairy ingredients facility.
The co-operative’s Ballaghderreen, Co Roscommon, dairy ingredients facility will be installing the burner as part of the co-operative's decarbonisation programme.
The investment is co-funded by the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme delivered by Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland.
Once operational, the new boiler system will expand the facility’s use of renewable biomass and replace a large proportion of the fossil fuel currently consumed onsite.
The investment is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 7,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually, representing a major step forward in Aurivo’s sustainability commitments and supporting Ireland’s broader transition to a low-carbon economy.
The burner will be fueled by locally supplied, sustainably certified wood pellets. The new energy infrastructure will help anchor more economic value within the all-Island supply chain while supporting the indigenous industry.
By prioritising regional sourcing, the project aims to reinforce Aurivo’s ethos, delivering long-term value not only for its farmer members and customers but also for the wider rural economy.
Read More
Beyond its environmental benefits, the biomass system will provide significantly greater energy cost certainty.
Moving away from imported fossil fuels towards a stable, renewable, certified fuel source will protect the business from the volatility that has characterised global energy markets in recent years, enhancing the long-term competitiveness of Aurivo’s dairy operations.
The project will also support local employment across the construction, engineering and supply chain, demonstrating how climate-focused investment can deliver tangible economic benefits for regional communities while futureproofing critical food manufacturing infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, minister of state for small business, retail and employment, Alan Dillon, said: “Delivered through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme, this investment by Aurivo highlights the impact of strategic partnership in accelerating industrial climate action while strengthening regional economic resilience.”
CEO of Aurivo Co-operative Society, Donal Tierney, said: "This multimillion investment represents a transformative step in reducing the carbon footprint of our dairy ingredients facility while strengthening the long-term resilience of our operations. As a co-operative, sustainability is central to how we create enduring value for our members, customers and communities.
"By significantly increasing our use of renewable biomass and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, we are taking decisive action that will deliver measurable emissions reductions while providing greater certainty around our future energy costs.
"We are very grateful for the support of Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme. This project would not have been possible without that collaboration.”
The landmark installation aims to position Aurivo at the forefront of sustainable dairy processing in Ireland and reflects the Co-op’s continued commitment to investing in innovative technologies that drive environmental progress while underpinning the prosperity of its members and the regions it serves.
