Superconducting Technologies Northern Ireland: major manufacturing investment in Larne creates 41 skilled jobs
The opening of an advanced manufacturing facility in Larne – creating 41 operational and engineering jobs - has been described as a “significant vote of confidence” in the borough and its skilled workforce.
Superconducting Technologies Northern Ireland (STNI), owned by Xi’an Superconducting Wire Technologies Co Ltd (XST), established the new facility at Ballyhampton Road in Larne.
The project represents XST’s first investment outside China, with the Larne facility to manufacture high-performance superconducting materials that are processed into superconducting wire, primarily for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.
XST specialises in the development and manufacture of superconducting materials and magnets for applications including medical imaging, scientific research, semiconductor production, accelerators and maglev transport.
The investment has been supported by Invest Northern Ireland, which has offered £287,000 towards the creation of the new roles.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said: “Our borough has a proud manufacturing heritage and a highly skilled workforce, as well as a growing reputation for innovation and advanced manufacturing. The decision to locate this new facility in Larne demonstrates a significant vote of confidence for this area and shows international investors this is a place to do business, grow and access world-class skills.
“The creation of 41 new jobs is very welcome for Larne and the wider borough, while the specialist nature of this operation also adds to the diversity and strength of our manufacturing base.
“We wish the company every success as it establishes its operations here and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Invest NI worked closely with XST’s team to secure the investment, including supporting visits to Northern Ireland to assess potential manufacturing locations and helping the company establish the factory facility in Larne.
Kieran Donoghue, Chief Executive of Invest NI, said: “Our support is helping the company to create 41 jobs which have the potential to contribute almost £1.5 million annually to the local Mid and East Antrim area.”
Attending the opening of the new facility on September 18 were a number of local political representatives, including East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson. “This is exactly the kind of high-value, advanced manufacturing investment we want to see in East Antrim - creating skilled opportunities and putting Larne on the map for global technology,” the Alliance Party MLA said.
Supplying materials for the likes of MRI scanners will give a degree of job security for the employees who are being recruited, added Mid and East Antrim councillor, Roy Beggs. “The plant could have been located anywhere in Europe, so it’s encouraging that Larne was chosen, with its manufacturing heritage and excellent links to ports and airport,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Mayor of Larne Tom Robinson said he believed the potential for educational links with China cannot be overstated. “This is a follow up from a visit of the Consulate General Mr Li to Larne High School and Seaview Integrated Primary school in Glenarm to speak with pupils and staff, [alongside] a very successful trip for the pupils and headmaster of Larne High to China earlier in 2026 to learn more about Chinese culture, education and technology,” he added.