Home News Business 75 new jobs to come on stream as Greenfield Global site in...

75 new jobs to come on stream as Greenfield Global site in Portlaoise moves to the next phase

Greenfield Global Inc. a global leader in the production of ethanol, high-purity speciality alcohols, and solvents, will soon commence the commissioning phase of its new EU Manufacturing Headquarters in Portlaoise, Ireland.

The new 3,800 sq. metre facility, the company’s first outside North America, will produce Pharmco branded products serving Life Science customers globally and is located on IDA Ireland’s Business and Technology Park off the Mountrath Road.

This new facility will result in 75 new jobs over the next five years, while 170 constructions jobs were created during the build and fit-out phase of the project.

The Portlaoise facility is one of the first NZEB (near zero energy buildings) to be completed under the new European standards. Project financing is provided by Allied Irish Banks and is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Greenfield Global, which has its headquarters in Toronto, Canada, has operations in 12 locations across North America, manufacturing and distributing a wide range of products to customers in over 50 countries.

“Greenfield Global has been supplying Pharmco branded mission-critical alcohols, solvents and bio-processing materials to Life Science companies across the globe for more than two decades,” said Greenfield Global President and CEO Howard Field.

“Until now, those products have been produced, packaged and delivered from our distilleries and manufacturing facilities in North America.

“Today, I am very excited to announce that our Portlaoise Ireland plant construction is essentially completed and we are excited to enter the commissioning phase of the facility in preparation to commence the validation program.”

“This achievement for Greenfield erecting a complex facility with an aggressive timeline in normal settings are something to celebrate and be proud of,” Managing Director of Greenfield Global Ireland Ken Finegan said.

“The fact that our onsite team, DPS Engineering and all of our contractors had to very quickly change protocol to account for COVID-19, launch and manage a new set of health and safety standards, while still moving this project forward is a feat.  All while maintaining Greenfield’s standards of excellence.

“We are encouraged to move this project to the next phase and will soon be able to service our existing and new customers with Pharmco branded products, including pharmaceutical companies, from Europe and beyond.

“Greenfield’s manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise will become a critical part of the Life Science ecosystem in Europe and beyond, especially considering the improvements we can make to globally damaged supply chains caused by COVID-19.”

“This investment is a very positive development for the Midlands region and is further evidence of the benefits of locating in the regions outside Dublin where there is access to talent, lower operating costs, and higher staff retention rates,” said Laois TD and Minister for State at the Department of Finance Sean Fleming.

He was speaking at a small event to officially open their premises in Portlaoise last Friday.

“Greenfield Global’s decision to locate their new EU manufacturing headquarters here is not only a sign of the capacity and capabilities that the Midlands provides, but also a sign of Ireland’s expertise and our strong and growing life sciences ecosystem.

“I would like to welcome Greenfield Global to the area and I look forward to working with them over the coming years.” 

I wish to congratulate Greenfield Global on reaching this milestone – the establishment of its EU Manufacturing Headquarters in Portlaoise – which is also Greenfield Global’s first facility outside of North America,” said CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan.

“Greenfield Global’s presence in the Midlands is of considerable benefit to the economy of the region and enhances Ireland’s vibrant EIT sector. I wish the team here and in North America continued success with the ongoing support of IDA Ireland.”

Greenfield is commencing with its validation program and customer audits starting August 2020 which can be scheduled by contacting Ken Finegan, Managing Director at Ken.Finegan@greenfield.com. 

Greenfield Global is a global leader in the production of high-value, mission-critical raw materials, ingredients and additives that are vital to businesses, improve people’s lives, and preserve the health of the planet.

Greenfield is the largest ethanol producer in Canada and owns and operates four ethanol distilleries, four specialty chemical manufacturing and packaging plants, and three next-generation biofuel and renewable energy R&D centres across North America and Europe.

Since its beginning in 1989, Greenfield continually develops more efficient and sustainable technologies and products while shrinking its own carbon footprint.

Under its Pharmco and Commercial Alcohols brands, Greenfield delivers hundreds of products to thousands of Life Science, Food, Flavor, Fragrance, Personal Care and Beverage customers in more than 50 countries worldwide.

SEE ALSO – Laois men appointed to key roles in An Post and Bank of Ireland