Biofuel venture at sugar plant ‘must happen quickly’

AN investor willing to spend up to €95 million will have to be found within the next 12 months if the former Mallow sugar factory is to have a future as a biofuel manufacturer, it was warned yesterday.

The warning followed the publication of a expert report, commissioned by Cork County Council, which showed that producing ethanol from sugar beet was technically and financially viable at the plant.

Greencore closed the plant last March with the loss of more than 200 jobs.