Encirc welcomed the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly BL MLA, to their Derrylin facility.
The visit, organised in conjunction with the NI Executive, was an opportunity to showcase the scale of Encirc’s manufacturing and sustainability operations, its role within the Vidrala Group and investment opportunities to support long-term growth in Northern Ireland.
Encirc also had open and constructive discussions on the real challenges facing energy-intensive manufacturers, including:
- Higher energy costs in Northern Ireland.
- The impact of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme on glass packaging.
- The need for policy that values recyclability and circularity not weight alone.
- The untapped potential of sustainable bio-methane as a credible alternative to natural gas, if pricing and policy align.
- Broader regional considerations in particular healthcare provision in Fermanagh and the South West Acute Hospital.
As the only glass manufacturer on the island of Ireland, for Encirc maintaining competitiveness is critical not just for the business, but for jobs, exports and the wider supply chain.
Encirc remains committed to working with government, industry and local partners to support a resilient, low-carbon manufacturing future for Northern Ireland and sustainable growth in Fermanagh.