The investment will strengthen the company’s manufacturing base and support future growth in key export markets. It will focus on expanding production capacity at the Ballyrashane site through significant upgrades to liquid milk packing and butter production facilities, alongside further sustainability-focused improvements across the operation.

Describing the company as an important part of Northern Ireland’s food and drink industry, the Minister said this investment demonstrates their ongoing commitment to its business in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

“It supports the continued development of the agri-food sector, strengthens export capability and includes important investment in sustainability,” said the Minister.

“It will also help improve productivity within the business and contribute to better regional balance by supporting growth and opportunity in this area, all of which align strongly with my economic priorities.”

Colin Kelly, CEO of Lakeland Dairies said: “This significant investment in our Ballyrashane site reflects our commitment to the future and our ambition to grow in both domestic and international markets.

“The programme will expand capacity in liquid milk packing and butter production, and will support new product development, allowing us to meet growing demand in export markets. The project will also deliver wider environmental benefits, further enhancing the site’s energy sustainability performance.”

Invest NI has offered LacPatrick Dairies, part of Lakeland Dairies, £2.5m towards the investment through its Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII).

Kieran Donoghue, Invest NI CEO added: “We’ve been working with the company for over a decade, and we are very pleased to support the company to undertake this investment. The AFII scheme has enabled several businesses like this to deliver major efficiency projects, boosting output and driving cutting-edge innovation across the region.

“This project stands out for its innovation and productivity, opening up global growth opportunities for the company by developing new high-value products.”

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The initiative has been designed to help improve the overall competitiveness and productivity of the agri-food and drink processing sector in Northern Ireland.

Developed by Invest Northern Ireland, the initiative was launched by Economy Minister Conor Murphy, who spoke at an event attended by businesses and stakeholders for the agri-food and drink sector.

“Agri-Food processing makes a significant contribution to local communities throughout the region, and especially to rural communities,” said the Minister.

“By targeting support to this sector, this scheme will promote regional balance. The capital investment will help companies adopt greener technologies, and so contribute to our net zero targets. Importantly, the scheme also aims to increase the sector’s productivity.”

Kieran Donoghue, CEO Invest Northern Ireland added: “The aim of this new Initiative is to improve the overall competitiveness of Northern Ireland’s agri-food and drink processing sector. To this end, we are particularly seeking projects which are innovative and demonstrate how they will improve the productivity and sustainability of the business.

“The Initiative is now open to applications from all eligible agri-food and drink processors in Northern Ireland, and I encourage businesses in the sector to avail of this significant opportunity to invest for future growth. As well as providing efficiency and productivity benefits directly to the business, we also expect investments through this Initiative to have a positive impact on the agri-food supply chain across rural areas.”

Full details on eligibility, the support available and how to apply is available at https://bit.ly/3zVLaW4

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Ahead of publishing a Sub-Regional Economic Action Plan in September, Minister Murphy met with local businesses, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, its partners, and the Roe Valley Chamber.

During his visit, Economy Minister Conor Murphy said he welcomed the opportunity to visit Limavady to meet with local businesses, council members, partners and the Chamber.

“I heard first-hand how they are working collaboratively with my department and Invest NI to identify economic drivers and challenges that will inform the Sub-Regional Economic Action Plan,” said Minister Murphy.

“I also commended the council on its recent £72 million Growth Deal which is testament to the council’s ongoing commitment to drive prosperity.

“Historically, equality of opportunity has not been available to all citizens across the north and my Economic Vision aims to address this issue. To overcome longstanding regional disparities, we must empower local communities to take forward their economic development in line with local circumstances and priorities.”

‘This was an opportunity to listen to the challenges and ideas of our local businesses so we can support them and work together’

Finance Minister Caoimhe Archbald added: “Local businesses are a vital part of the communities we live in. As well as providing goods and services, they create job opportunities for people.

“In April 2024 I signed the Causeway Coast and Glens Heads of Terms, which outlined a number of proposals to transform the region, in collaboration with local partners and businesses. The transformative projects that make up the Growth Deal will help to create jobs and further increase the skills base.

“In addition, in May 2024, I reinstated the Back in Business scheme to incentivise occupation of empty retail units and have restored the rural ATM scheme through new legislation. Both of these measures will improve footfall and help support our local businesses.

“Around 75% of our non-domestic ratepayers currently get some form of rate support and today was an opportunity to listen to the challenges and ideas of our local businesses so we can support them and work together to help them grow and expand which benefits everyone.”

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Dr Cross is the founder of Delta Print and Packaging, which was sold to Finnish giant Huhtamaki, and the owner of Hinch Distillery in Co Down.

Now his latest venture BioPax – based in a 70,000 sq ft factory at Springvale Business Park – will produce packaging and labels for the food service, retail, distribution and beverage sectors.

The venture will be led by sales and marketing director Liam O’Connor and general manager Greg Prescott.

Dr Cross said: “BioPax was born out of a passion to develop a truly green solution for today’s packaging needs.

‘We know that this will bring huge economic benefits to Northern Ireland’

“The company has invested significantly in research and development and the best green technology which along with our in-house expertise will enable collaborative solutions to be delivered to our customers.

“We are confident that the company understands the current market and the high growth potential.

“We know that this will bring huge economic benefits to Northern Ireland. It will help revolutionise consumer packaging solutions in the UK and Europe by promoting a circular economy in fibre packaging and reducing landfill waste and the release of harmful chemicals into our ecosystem.”

Economic development agency Invest NI is supporting BioPax to create the 169 jobs and has offered it advice and guidance on R&D and how to increase exports. Recruitment has begun, with 45 of the jobs already in place.

Interim chief executive Mel Chittock said: “This major investment will bring the former Caterpillar site back to life with a state-of-the-art factory and machinery. 169 jobs will be created in west Belfast across a range of functions including design, printing, production, sales and finance.”

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Following a record-breaking 14,205 food and drink entries from 110 countries across the world, Great Taste, the world’s largest food and drink accreditation scheme based entirely on taste, held its grand finale for 2022 earlier this week.

Announced at the Great Taste Golden Forks ceremony held at Southwark Cathedral, the Great Taste Golden Fork trophy for Northern Ireland was awarded to Baronscourt Estate from Tyrone for its Wild Sika Venison Loin, described as having “flavours of game and natural sweetness which balance beautifully and sing out” and “a rich red colour”.

The Wild Sika Venison Loin comes from wild sika deer that roam Northern Ireland’s Baronscourt Estate.

Impressing the Great Taste judges with its “bold aroma which was followed by bold flavour”, the Wild Sika Venison Loin made an impression at every stage of the blind-tasted judging process across the 90 days.

Rising to the top among hundreds of other entries from Northern Ireland, this “rich and tender” loin was celebrated as the best tasting product in its region at the highly anticipated ceremony – the culmination of Great Taste – the largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme on the planet – dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the food & drink world and attended by food industry experts and influencers.

John Farrand, managing director at the Guild of Fine Food comments: “Unveiling the Great Taste Golden Fork winners is a huge honour. After months of rigorous blind-tasting and judging, it is fantastic to reveal the award-winning products and celebrate the producers’ hard work and innovation.

It’s been an exceptional year for creativity and inspirational food and drink entries. Huge congratulations from all of us at GFF to all the award winners, it really isn’t easy to do what you do – I have the utmost admiration for you all. And thank you to everyone who was involved in Great Taste 2022.”

The Great Taste Golden Fork from Northern Ireland was sponsored by Invest NI. Also nominated this year were the Great Taste 3-star Corndale Chorizo Picante from Corndale Charcuterie based in Londonderry and The Single Rose, Ballylisk of Armagh Farmhouse Brie from Ballylisk Dairies based in Armagh.

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