Key issues debated during Minister Muir’s visit to Encirc’s Derrylin site

Encirc played host to Northern Ireland Minister Andrew Muir where he enjoyed a tour of our site as well as discussing some of the key challenges facing the local glass manufacturing business.

Important issues such as Extended Producer Responsibility, improving recycling rates, a circular economy and exploring the possibility of replacing fossil fuels with biomethane in the Northern Ireland gas network were all debated with the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Encirc, a Vidrala Group company, is thankful to the Minister for taking the time to engage and to see how our large-scale manufacturing site, employing over 500 people, operates.

Encirc Managing Director, Sean Murphy said: “It was great to welcome the Minister to Fermanagh. We had some very constructive talks with Minister Muir and his team on a number of key topics. This is very much an ongoing process but there was a broad will to progress projects that will not only secure the sustainable future of our business but help the whole Northern Ireland economy to strive towards a net zero future.”

Andrew Muir commented: “I enjoyed my recent visit to Encirc in Derrylin. A wonderful example of a company embracing the circular economy and providing good green jobs.”

Minister Muir also helped switch on the lights of the Encirc Christmas tree alongside local councillor Eddie Roofe.

The tree, the brainchild of Encirc’s Biodiversity Committee was made from scrap metal at the site, caps were sourced at our plant in Bristol and the glass bottles were taken from a scrap pallet of glass. Suitable lighting that was not being used was connected to the supply.

This is the second year of our illuminated, glass bottle Christmas tree in Derrylin that is sustainable and, like glass products, can be used again and again.