I have been advised by Údarás na Gaeltachta that a new enterprise, Novelplast Teoranta, commenced operations in Baile Ghib in 2019 manufacturing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) pellets/chip directly from industrial offcut filament and fibre material from PET manufacturing facilities. I am also informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that this residue material is not contaminated and arrives at the facility in a clean and dry baled format, which is then shredded, heated and extruded into pellet form.
While the issue of emissions and environmental controls are matters for the relevant planning and licensing, I understand that Novelplast Teoranta has verified to Údarás na Gaeltachta that emissions monitoring was carried out by an independent body after the plant commenced operations in 2019, which confirmed that there were no harmful levels of emissions from the plant. I further understand that this report was then independently verified by Meath County Council, and that an abatement system was subsequently installed at the factory to reduce the emissions even further and also to reduce any odours being produced from the normal operation of the factory.
I understand that Novelplast Teoranta employs up to 20 people in the Baile Ghib Gaeltacht area in County Meath, and that both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Novelplast Teoranta have been proactively engaging with the local community on an ongoing basis from the outset of the project and will continue to do so to allay any concerns.
