College Proteins, the leading bio-waste management company based in Nobber, Co. Meath, is celebrating 25 years in business. Here, we take a look at the history and success of the family-run business which is headed up by Belfast native John Gilroy.
Since 1989, College Proteins has become one of Ireland’s foremost rendering companies, consisting of two rendering facilities. The waste processed by College Proteins generates two by-products – meat and bone meal (MBM) and tallow. The company has gone from strength to strength and now employs 90 people, 80 of whom are from the local community. In recent years, College Proteins has developed a dynamic team of professionals skilled in mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering.
The company makes significant investments in its employees’ skillset in order to have qualified and productive mechanical and process engineers, to reduce the cost of staff turnover and to increase job satisfaction. In addition, it invests in R&D and is constantly looking for ways to increase the productivity of its process lines and streamline production. The company focuses on high quality and this is achieved by investing in equipment that maximises its ability to produce high quality products.
In its simplest terms, the rendering process is a cooking and separating process that uses animal and poultry by-products to produce purified fat and protein products. These inedible portions of animals are cooked at high temperatures to remove moisture, kill bacteria and separate the fat and protein. The result is a protein rich meal and a useful fat portion.
College Proteins has a Category One plant located in Nobber in north Co. Meath. The plant processes fallen stock and specified risk material (SRM) to produce liquid and solid bio-fuels for use in renewable energy power generation and the production of biodiesel. The destruction of such material is a vital and important part of the agri-food sector as John Gilroy explains:
“Animal rendering is the foundation, the cornerstone of the agri-food industry. We may be hidden away in the background to a certain extent, but the industry could not exist without us. We are an important link in the chain. We are a heavy industry that requires huge investment on an ongoing basis.”
College Proteins’ Category One site is on hand 24/7 to react to any animal disease outbreaks, e.g. the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001, and helps eradicate these diseases in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. This ensures the protection of animal and public health. The existence of Category One rendering plants is essential in order for Ireland to meet its EU directive requirements. Each member state is obliged to ensure the adequate capacity to deal with any potential animal disease crises.
College Proteins’ Category One (CAT 1) facility produces 37,500 tonnes of meat and bone meal (MBM) each year. MBM can be used as a fuel that has a high energy content i.e. 1.4 tonne is equivalent to one tonne of coal. It is a carbon-neutral fuel which is used in electricity plants across Europe. College Proteins is a leader in its field in terms of innovation and expertise in rendering. In the past decade, it has increased output and quality of finished goods, while reducing its carbon footprint at the same time.
College Proteins was granted planning permission for a Combined Heat and Power Plant in 2013 and is awaiting judicial review in order to go ahead with the project. Ireland currently does not have any outlet for the CAT 1 MBM disposal.
The company boasts a modern transport fleet that collects waste material and transports finished goods for export. It currently operates 20 trucks and 70 trailers, and bins that service its 900 customers both north and south of the border, on a weekly basis.
Protection of the environment is a fundamental and key objective of College Proteins, which continually looks to improve and enhance its environmental facilities on site. The company has a state-of-the-art water treatment facility on hand at both sites and has an efficient odour control system in place.
Since 2012 its energy consumption has reduced significantly following the introduction of liquid natural gas (LNG) on site. Environmental impact has always been at the forefront of the company’s interests and it hopes to progress its excellent work in this area in the near future. The success of College Proteins clearly demonstrates that this could not be achieved without the commitment of its workforce.
College Proteins works closely with the food service sector, offering a one-stop waste management arrangement. This combines secure waste collection using College Proteins’ specialist vehicles, with safe disposal at the company’s processing plant.
Customer service is at the very core of this thriving company’s business and it is its policy to provide clients with the product and services that they can rely on at all times. In this regard, College Proteins has a sales team led by Michael Condra which attends to customers’ needs around the clock.
College Proteins
College Road,
Nobber,
Co. Meath.
Telephone: +353 46 9096000
Fax: +353 46 9052062
Mobile: +353 87 0577038
Website: www.collegeproteins.ie
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 5, October 2014
