Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, along with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA, announced €9 million in funding for two bioeconomy demonstration projects under the Shared Island Initiative. The announcement highlights the island-wide collaboration on sustainability and climate action, with the goal of expanding and developing the bioeconomy across Ireland. Taoiseach Martin emphasized that these projects aim to address common challenges while fostering economic growth and innovation.
Half of the funding, €4.5 million, is allocated to the ‘Recycling Phosphates and Nitrogen from Agricultural Residues (REGENERATE)’ project led by Greenville Energy in County Tyrone. This initiative brings together partners from across the island to develop a sustainable bio-based fertiliser product. REGENERATE focuses on creating environmentally and economically sustainable solutions that enhance industrial competitiveness and contribute to carbon reduction targets.
The remaining €4.5 million supports the ‘All Island Marine Bio-based Refineries for Circular Blue-Bioeconomy (AIMBIO)’ project, led by Teagasc, Ashtown. AIMBIO will demonstrate the conversion of underutilized resources from aquaculture, fisheries, and aquatic processors into high-value ingredients for the food, feed, bio-based chemicals, and cosmetics industries. The project involves collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the island to advance circular bioeconomy practices.
Minister Heydon highlighted the potential of the bioeconomy to create new opportunities across agriculture, food, forestry, and marine sectors. He emphasized the importance of scaling up bioeconomy technologies, accelerating the commercialisation of bio-based products, and establishing new value chains where farmers, fishers, and the agri-food industry can play a central role. These initiatives aim to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on critical imports, and foster sustainable economic development across the island.
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