Alltech expands EU applications lab in Meath
Alltech president and CEO Mark Lyons, Minister agriculture minister Martin Heydon, Alltech founder and owner Deirdre Lyons, IDA Ireland head of biopharma and food Rory Mullen, Alltech Europe & Asia Pacific applications Manager Patrick Ward, Northern Ireland agriculture minister Andrew Muir, and Alltech global vice president of ESG Tara McCarthy. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke
An expanded EU Applications Laboratory has been established at Alltech’s European headquarters in Dunboyne, Co Meath.
The new lab will bring together practical agricultural innovation, climate action and renewable energy research within a single applied research facility.
The facility was created to accelerate the development and validation of practical technologies for the Irish, European and global agricultural industries. The laboratory will serve as a centre for applied research focused on improving nutrient efficiency, reducing environmental impact and supporting renewable energy generation from agricultural systems.
The lab has been designed to bridge scientific research with on-farm implementation, ensuring technologies can be tested under practical operating conditions.
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President and CEO of Alltech, Dr Mark Lyons, said: “From this lab in Ireland, we will advance our dedication to solving real agricultural issues and scale practical solutions to farms across more than 140 countries.”
“This lab enables us not only to deliver on our promise to improve the nutrition and wellbeing of animals but to create new income streams such as energy generation for farmers, which further drives down the environmental impact of the farm,” he continued.
A particular focus of the EU Applications Laboratory is renewable energy and anaerobic digestion (AD) research, supporting Ireland’s ambitions for indigenous renewable gas production and improved energy security.
The laboratory includes:
- Biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing.
- Continuous pilot-scale anaerobic digesters.
- Feedstock optimisation and digestate evaluation systems.
- Applied research platforms for slurry and manure-dominant AD plants.
The research is evaluating a wide range of agricultural feedstocks and residues, including sequential crops, agricultural residues, animal manure and biowaste.
It is also developing new technologies such as synbiotics, designed specifically for slurry and manure-dominant anaerobic digestion systems.
Research activities also being examined are biogas optimisation through synbiotics and mineral technologies, crop and silage evaluation on AD systems, digestate nutrient management, modelling and AD system optimisation and integration of manure management technologies in AD plants.
Europe and Asia-Pacific applications manager at Alltech, Dr Patrick Ward, said: “As agriculture faces increasing pressure to improve sustainability, reduce emissions and strengthen energy security, the timing of the investment is particularly significant and reflects Alltech’s continued long-term commitment to innovation-led agriculture.”
“This facility represents an increased strategic focus on research, applied science and new product development capable of delivering practical on-farm solutions, helping to position Ireland at the forefront of sustainable agricultural innovation and climate-smart farming systems,” he said.
The laboratory also has a strong focus on climate-friendly manure management technologies, including continued development work with Eminex, a methane-reducing slurry additive technology manufactured by Alzchem and distributed by Alltech.
Research is focused on:
- Methane emissions reduction from stored slurry.
- Reduced ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and nitrous oxide emissions.
- Improved slurry homogeneity and nutrient retention.
- Reduced floating layer formation.
- Improved fertiliser value of slurry and digestate.
The EU Applications Laboratory is also supporting wider collaboration opportunities across the Irish agri-food, renewable energy and environmental sectors, including research related to biomethane, nutrient recovery and low-emission farming systems.
Minister of agriculture at Northern Ireland's department for agriculture environment, and rural affairs (DAERA), Andrew Muir, attended the opening following DAERA funding used to invest in project equipment.
Marking the opening of the lab, minister Muir said: “This new laboratory is a tangible example of collaboration between industry, government and academia, and will play an important role in delivering the applied research and innovation needed to support a more sustainable, productive and low-carbon future for agriculture.”
