Glanbia Ingredients Ireland's (GII) newly-built milk protein facility was officially opened in Cavan today by Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Heather Humpheys and Northern Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Arlene Foster.

The expansion of the Virginia facility, which processes milk from surrounding counties, is specifically designed to meet the exacting technical standards of the clinical and lifestyle nutrition market.

The new milk protein unit is part of GII's €200m investment in facilities with support from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. Over €7.8m has been invested in the Virginia plant to build the new milk protein unit, which will more than double current milk protein capacity from 4,000 to 10,000 tonnes.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Humphreys said: Glanbia’s innovative approach to targeting key growth markets overseas has allowed it to grow exports and establish itself as one of the major players in the Irish agri-food sector."

Jim Bergin, CEO of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, said: ““The opening of our new plant ensures that both GII and our farmer suppliers will be able to capitalise on the generational opportunity that is provided by the ending of milk quotas next year."