A factory in Tyrone is on the verge of a groundbreaking initiative, aiming to transform wood dust into electricity as a means to power its operations. This innovative project is part of a significant investment from O&S Doors, which they describe as a pioneering advancement in renewable energy technology for the entire island of Ireland.
Currently, the company manages the surplus wood dust generated during the manufacturing of kitchen doors by shipping it to England, where it is repurposed as animal bedding or disposed of in landfills. However, this local business, situated just outside Benburb in County Tyrone, has unveiled ambitious plans to implement a biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) system that will convert this otherwise wasted material into millions of units of usable electricity for their factory.
Dermot O'Brien, a representative from O&S Doors, explained that the wood dust is a by-product of their manufacturing process. "This is a technology we have been developing for around eight years, and we expect to start generating our own electricity by early 2027," O'Brien stated with enthusiasm. "Achieving this milestone would be a first for the entire island, and it fills us with pride. As a growing business, we constantly seek ways to improve efficiency, and since electricity represents our largest annual expense, converting a by-product into power will certainly make a difference."
So, how does this technology operate? The dust produced from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is created during various processes like cutting, sanding, and machining engineered wood panels. O&S Doors plans to utilize this MDF dust in their new CHP system, which will not only eliminate the need for transporting the waste off-site but also generate approximately 6.3 million units of energy to support both heating and manufacturing needs.
The projected system is designed to consume more than 10,000 tonnes of MDF dust each year to produce 1 megawatt of electricity, which could potentially reduce carbon emissions by about 1,500 tonnes annually.
This initiative is being partially funded through the Irish government's €20 million Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme, which aims to support projects that demonstrate a commitment to integrating sustainable technologies to lower industrial carbon footprints. O&S Doors successfully applied for funding within Northern Ireland, alongside two other County Tyrone companies, securing a £9 million investment for the installation of their innovative CHP system, supported by a grant of £2.4 million from the scheme.
The Shared Island Fund also allocates money to revive other important infrastructures, such as resuming flights from Dublin to Londonderry and advancing stalled projects like the A5 road upgrade and the Casement Park stadium renovation.
During a visit to the factory, First Minister Michelle O'Neill expressed her admiration for the project, describing it as a remarkable success story that has continually evolved over the years. "Witnessing the technology at work here is inspiring," she commented to BBC News NI. "This transformative technology sets a benchmark and provides an excellent model for future developments in the industry."
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald praised O&S Doors as an "innovative and ambitious company," emphasizing that this initiative would benefit both the firm and the collaborative efforts of economic agencies across the island.
However, amidst these advancements, there are concerning reports regarding potential factory closures in the County Tyrone area, putting over 300 jobs at risk at the Linden Foods retail packing facility in Granville, Dungannon. In light of this situation, the Economy Minister acknowledged the anxiety felt by affected workers and their families, assuring them that support will be provided through collaboration with Invest NI and the company.
O'Brien addressed inquiries from BBC News NI regarding whether the cost savings from their renewable energy technology might lead to new job opportunities in the Mid Ulster region. He affirmed, "We currently employ around 400 individuals in the area, and we have a dedicated workforce. If our growth leads to additional job openings, we would be thrilled to welcome new talent to our team, and we are always on the lookout for new recruits."
