O&S Doors: £9million investment in combined heat and power system aligns with Co Tyrone firm's site expansion strategy
A Co Tyrone-based door manufacturing company is investing £9million in a new biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) system as part of its future growth strategy.
O&S Doors is believed to be the first business across the island of Ireland to install the system. It will turn MDF dust, which is normally transported offsite for processing in Europe or to landfill, into 6.3million units of energy to power its heating and manufacturing processes.
The investment is co-funded by the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme, with a grant of £2.4million.
John Toomey, CEO of O&S Doors, said: “As a company we are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2028 through investments in electric vehicle adoption and zero waste landfill operations.
"This new CHP project is another central pillar to this ambition enabling us to reduce our reliance on purchasing electricity and reduce production of emissions linked to off-site MDF waste transport.
“This investment also aligns with our growth strategy to expand our Dungannon site in the future by providing us with reliable, cost-effective renewable energy.
"We are also hopeful that the new CHP system will increase our efficiency and productivity by removing waste handling constraints in our manufacturing process.”
The initiative has been welcomed by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Speaking during a visit to the facility, Minister O’Neill said: “This is a hugely innovative investment by O&S Doors and a real commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Turning MDF dust into clean energy is good for the environment and makes economic sense.”
Minister Little-Pengelly said: “As a locally based company, O&S Doors is a success story for our manufacturing sector, and this latest investment will ensure the company continues to grow and thrive.”
The Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant is part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme delivered by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald said: “I commend the three enterprise agencies for coming together to deliver a scheme that will help businesses across this island to invest in revolutionary technology and sustainable operations. It will support businesses to make green innovative investments and help us meet our net zero commitments.”
The new system will burn in excess of 10,000 tonnes of MDF dust per year to generate to generate 1 MW of electricity which will save 1500 tonnes of carbon per annum from the company’s operations.
O&S Doors is a leading manufacturer of wooden doors, panels and associated accessories. Its clients come from a variety of sectors across the island of Ireland, UK and most recently the USA including over 300 independent retailers, B&Q and Magnet. The factory in Benburb employs over 400 highly skilled workers with over 6,000 door styles and finish combinations and over 70,000 individual pieces produced every week.
This is one of three projects in the province which has received funding from the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme awards made by Invest Northern Ireland.
Alison Currie, chief development officer at Invest NI, said it is “fantastic to see a significant investment such as this be made in Mid Ulster".
She added: This will no doubt have wider benefits to the local economy but also support the development of skills and knowledge within the regions well known manufacturing sector.”