In Ireland, a former lead and zinc mine that has seen lots of visits, activity, and speculation over the last few months is expected to be converted into a bio-economy project to be announced by Former Minister for the Environment and EU Commission Phil Hogan. The project is estimated to be worth €21 million and may include development of a new bio-refinery with a new process for converting waste by-products from the dairy industry into high value bio-based products including biodegradable plastics.
The site is expected to be part of AgriChemWhey, a new bioeconomy project led by Glanbia Ireland and supported by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU). According to the Tipperary Star, it is expected to increase employment levels in that area to more than 350 people.