Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien TD, have announced €10 million in funding for two landmark bioeconomy demonstration projects.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF), the investment aims to establish high-value, biobased value chains in the Midlands as the area transitions away from peat-based industries.

The funding is split equally between two primary projects: 'BIOCHAR', led by the University of Limerick, and 'TRANSFORM', led by University College Dublin. Both initiatives are designed to anchor their research, biomass procurement, and industrial collaboration within the Just Transition Fund Territory, creating local employment and skill development opportunities.

The BIOCHAR project will focus on creating a sustainable biochar product derived from indigenous biomass. This will be tested through large-scale demonstrations in sectors including agriculture, transport infrastructure, and water treatment. A key output of the project will be a blueprint for a mid-sized biochar facility, intended to encourage future investment and replication throughout the Midlands.

Meanwhile, the TRANSFORM project will demonstrate the upcycling of agri-food by-products and food waste into functional ingredients for the food and feed industries. This work will involve commercial-scale demonstration at the Circular Food Company's facility in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, supported by fermentation technology provider SOMATECH. The investment will fund new equipment and staff to bolster biomanufacturing and logistics in the region.

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Minister Heydon said: "I am delighted to announce this €10 million in funding for two new bioeconomy demonstrator projects, as part of the EU Just Transition Fund. The BIOCHAR and TRANSFORM projects will demonstrate the potential uses of biochar in agriculture, bioenergy and sustainability, as well as transforming agri-food byproducts and waste into functional ingredients. This investment will build on the €22 million already committed to other bioeconomy pilot projects, demonstrating the Government's commitment to ensuring the bioeconomy is scaled up across our economy and our rural areas."

Minister O'Brien stated: "I am delighted to see investment in two further bioeconomy demonstration projects in the Midlands region as part of the EU Just Transition Programme. This further investment into the region will support sustainability, innovation, economic and employment opportunities while continuing to build a solid base for regional expertise in this emerging area. The 'BIOCHAR' and 'TRANSFORM' projects provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the practical application of the circular economy model while demonstrating how the efficient and sustainable use of waste and by-products can support climate and economic goals. I look forward to hearing more about these projects as they develop and deliver opportunities within the Midlands region."

Peter Power, Head of the EU Commission Representation in Ireland, said: "The EU Just Transition Fund is supporting Ireland's Midlands in its path towards a net-zero economy that works for people and communities. The support announced today for two circular bioeconomy projects is yet another example of how the EU JTF Programme is drawing on the resources and expertise already available within the region to strengthen innovative ecosystems and to create high-value, sustainable jobs. This is fully in line with the EU JTF's objective, to support innovative and place-based opportunities that will have a lasting impact on the territory and on its people."

Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said: "This significant investment into the bioeconomy sector in the Midlands demonstrates the strong commitment of Ireland and the European Union to advancing a climate-neutral and circular economy at scale. Large-scale bioeconomy projects such as these, not only foster innovation for a greener and more competitive future for the region, but also support economic diversification and the generation of new employment opportunities. By supporting a circular economy model, the EU Just Transition Fund is playing a pivotal role in transforming the wider Midlands – helping to build a resilient economy and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. We look forward to seeing these projects in action, alongside the two previously EUJTF-funded bioeconomy demonstration initiatives in the region."