Major €5 million investment at Offaly centre will benefit rural areas

A €5 million investment in the Mount Lucas Bioeconomy Aquaculture Initiative funded by the EU Just Transition Fund has been welcomed by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

Rooted in sustainability, the county. Offaly site will function as both an in-action and visual representation of ‘bio-economy’, demonstrating how renewable living organisms such as rainbow trout can be utilised to produce food, energy and industrial based goods.

Functioning as a circular peatland, with integrated feeding and nutrition aquaculture, it will showcase how environmentally friendly practices can support the region and beyond by producing new feeds and food ingredients from cultivated duckweed and macroalgae, using agri-food waste streams.

Designed as fully circular, the site is powered by energy generated from onsite wind turbines, promoting a zero-waste approach.

Minister Pippa Hackett commented: "I am hugely excited by the opportunities that the bioeconomy offers rural areas - both the economic benefits and the potential for job creation, as well as the immense potential for the bioeconomy to play an important role in tackling the climate crisis.

"The science behind these projects is cutting edge, but the motivation is simple. We need new, innovative solutions to longstanding problems. Having seen first-hand the aquaculture initiative at Mount Lucas, I believe this demonstrator project will be a key catalyst for the success of the Irish bioeconomy sector."

Professor Neil Rowan, Lead Principal Investigator, Bioeconomy Demonstration for Change of Land Use at TUS, said: “The Mount Lucas site is a landmark transformative project. It supports demonstration of new products for companies and entrepreneurs along with creating new employment for the people of Offaly and for connected counties across this Just Transition Territory. The site operates next-generation technologies ranging from aquatech to a biorefinery along with a green innovation suite that houses extended reality equipment for bespoke training.”

Dr Liam Brown, VP for Research, Development & Innovation at TUS, continued: “TUS is delighted to be at the forefront of this vital initiative at Mount Lucas and we would like to acknowledge the commitment and funding from DAFM and the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly. The site will act as a centre of excellence, promoting zero waste, zero pollution, climate action principles, dedicated to supporting local enterprise and development with far-reaching impacts at the regional, national and global levels.”

Andrew Murray, Acting Director of Services in Offaly County Council, remarked: “We are pleased to support the Mount Lucas site, which will serve as a testbed for innovative technology and a catalyst for the development and sustainability of food systems. This project represents a significant integrated initiative that prioritises collaboration with local communities, moving away from isolated strategies to ensure a more cohesive and impactful approach.”

Damien Toner, Aquatech Business Manager at Bord Iascaigh Mhara, stated: “This is tremendous news for the midlands and Ireland. Mount Lucas offers beyond state-of-the art potential for demonstrating new innovation, technologies and products for the betterment of society. The project announced today will facilitate Irish-based aquatech companies develop innovative new solutions for the global aquaculture industry. BIM is delighted to assist TUS in enabling this.”

Project partners include University of Galway, University of Cork, Teagasc, Indigo Rock Marine Research Institute and Derilinx. Promoting a collaborative approach from the onset, Mount Lucas welcomes industry product testing that aligns with its sustainability principles, with the goal of achieving green technology certification.

As a founding partner of the Irish Bioeconomy foundation, TUS is also delighted to be a key partner in the Lisheen Bioeconomy Scaleup Initiative, led by Tipperary County Council.

The CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO Project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.