Glanbia formally opened its new state-of-the-art food-grade oats mill in Portlaoise today.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD was present to launch the new Glanbia Agribusiness Oats Mill which is the first facility of its kind to be built in Ireland in recent years.

The mill will produce gluten-free products with significant potential to increase exports to the US and European food markets.

The facility, which operates to the highest international food safety standards, (Grade A *BRC accreditation) was developed following the establishment of Glanbia’s exclusive partnership with the US based Sturm Foods, for the McCann’s Irish Oatmeal brand.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister Flanagan said he hopes that demand for the growing of premium oats for the food sector, will expand further with the opening of the mill.

The Minister added that the opening marks a "exciting new chapter" in Ireland's agri-food store represents an opportunity for for Leinster grain farmers.

“The gluten-free market, which is expanding rapidly, is worth £180 million in the UK alone. This growing market and the opening of this new mill in Portlaoise represent and exciting opportunity for grain farmers in Leinster."

Colm Eustace, CEO of Glanbia Agribusiness said: “This development would not be possible without the co-operation of our growers. With our specialist agronomists and R&D team, we look forward to continuing to work closely with our growers to achieve the quality and innovation required to meet discerning consumer needs.

“We are delighted to have been selected by Glanbia Nutritional Ingredients Technologies (GNIT) to mill the recently launched OatPure™ gluten-free oats, which is independently certified to max 10ppm gluten and will go to market in November.”