New vaccine factory to open in Ireland

Global animal health outfit Phibro is to establish its first European manufacturing facility in Ireland, which will at first focus on its lines geared at poultry health.

The new site will be in Sligo, in the north west of the country, and is expected to create 150 highly-skilled jobs over five years.

Phibro is headquartered in the US and produces animal health and nutrition products for poultry, swine, cattle, dairy and aquaculture globally. Its revenues in the most recent financial period came to $764m with sales derived from 65 countries.

The project has won support from the Irish government through its Industrial Development Authority, which is responsible for attracting foreign investment into the country.

Michael Creed, Ireland’s minister for agriculture, food and the marine, described the investment as “significant”. “It further strengthens Ireland’s life sciences capability in the north west and builds on a series of new IDA projects announced for Sligo and elsewhere in the region over recent times.”

“The creation of Phibro Ireland marks an important milestone in our development as a leading global player in the animal health biological market, added Phibro’s Jack Bendheim. “The winning combination of Phibro’s expertise in the development and manufacture of biological products, the driven and experienced workforce available in the Sligo area, and the strong support of the IDA makes us very excited about the potential of the Sligo facility.”