The Mineral Processing cluster, a key part of the construction supply chain, is set to benefit from the launch of the Powering Research & Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing (PRISM) Project.

This transformative, €7.6 million cross-border initiative, led by South West College (SWC) and backed by the PEACEPLUS Programme, is specifically designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop new processes and products while addressing the significant challenges of decarbonisation.

PRISM will work to accelerate the adoption of low carbon technologies among 24 SMEs across three clusters that are conventionally difficult to decarbonise: Mineral Processing, Polymer Processing & Composites, and Agrifood.

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The initiative brings together a consortium of six strategic cross-border partners, with activities coordinated from SWC’s Omagh campus. The project’s influence extends across ten counties in the region, including Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, and Louth.

Key partners in the consortium include Atlantic Technical University, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Queen’s University Belfast, and Dublin City University. The project was co-designed with significant industry input, including expertise from the Irish Concrete Federation and the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, called PRISM a "vital investment in the future of our manufacturing sector," noting it will help businesses overcome the complex challenges of industrial decarbonisation.

Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald stated that this collaboration between academia and industry will accelerate innovation, engaging over 1,000 participants to strengthen SME capabilities and stimulate economic growth.

Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive of SWC, confirmed that the college and its partners are now moving into the delivery phase, ready to support companies across the region in their efforts to meet the challenges of achieving Net Zero.