Around 120 construction jobs are to be created with the €40m expansion of a Co Mayo manufacturing plant, it has been revealed.

BioSpark - a newly-formed joint venture between Imperative Energy Ltd and Sustainable BioPolymers Ltd - said it intends to invest in the development of a next generation bio-processing research, innovation and manufacturing centre at Claremorris.

The BioSpark development, which is to be located at a 22-acre site close to the town of Claremorris, will incorporate a 20,000 tonne per annum bio-processing facility; state-of-the-art laboratory facilities; a 60,000 tonne per annum wood pellet production facility; and a 20MWth/5MWe CHP plant, which will be fired on biomass, and connected to the national grid via a sub-station in close proximity to the site.

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In addition, 17 commercial units to house a cluster of related business ventures will also be built.

Still subject to planning approval, it is believed the scheme could be constructed over the next two years.

The jobs potential has been welcomed by Business Minister Mary Coughlan.

Around 120 jobs will be created during construction and 80 full-time positions post-construction.

Almost 100 upstream new jobs will open up in harvesting, transportation and supply chain management, and a further potential 120 high value jobs at the BioSpark Claremorris centre within three years of its completion.

Mr Coughlan said: "Certainly the construction jobs during the building phase will be a boost to the local economy, however, it is the sustainable jobs of the ultimate workforce that will be a real driver to the local and regional economy."

Professor Vincent O'Flaherty, Director of the Energy Research Centre at NUI Galway, said: "This project is world-class and the ideal platform for Ireland to develop high-tech solutions for the global sustainable energy market. Our research centre's multi-disciplinary team looks forward to working with BioSpark to maximize its R&D potential."

(PR/BMcc)