Biofuel plant was not an option

THE sugar factory site is unsuitable for biofuel or ethanol production, according to Greencore.

Calls had been made on Greencore to convert the plant into ethanol production, but the company decided not to go down that route.

It has, however, made provision for a national centre for renewable resource research in its plans for Mallow West.

Greencore development director Geoff Doherty said there is naturally talk about renewable resources, energy and alternative fuels.

“What we now need is a strong cluster of research based activity and Mallow West will be well placed to carry that out,” he said.

Mr Doherty said biofuel and ethanol were considered but the strong analysis was that the economics of such a move did not work.

“It is important that people understand that what we are talking about here is an oil refinery. A biofuel or ethanol plant is an oil refinery.”