The investment by Britvic in its Ballygowan facility will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50m fully recycled and recyclable bottles.
Drinks business Britvic Ireland has announced an investment of €6m in its Ballygowan facility in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
The investment will grow the site’s production capacity by over 20% in order to meet growing consumer demand for Ballygowan mineral water, and the creation of 28 new jobs.
“We are incredibly proud of this latest milestone in Ballygowan’s journey as Ireland’s most loved and leading bottled water brand, and the benefits this investment will return for Britvic Ireland and the wider community in Newcastle West”
In addition to the new manufacturing roles, the investment will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50m fully recycled and recyclable 500ml bottles of Ballygowan, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of the site.
Springing forward
Ballygowan is Ireland’s number one bottled water brand, and consumer demand has grown steadily in recent years with sales of Ballygowan products undergoing strong double digit volume growth compared to pre-Covid levels.
Newcastle West is the home and source of Ballygowan mineral water, which has been produced and bottled at source since 1984.
Britvic Ireland has been a local employer in Newcastle West since 2007, and the facility currently employs 55 people in addition to the newly announced roles.
“This investment will create new manufacturing roles for the local area, provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50m 500ml bottles of Ballygowan made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of our site,” said Kevin Donnelly, managing director of Britvic Ireland.
“We are incredibly proud of this latest milestone in Ballygowan’s journey as Ireland’s most loved and leading bottled water brand, and the benefits this investment will return for Britvic Ireland and the wider community in Newcastle West.”
Ballygowan bottles are made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic (rPET), following a €2m investment in the Newcastle West facility in 2021. When recycled correctly, rPET bottles can be reused continuously, becoming a key contributor to the circular economy and removing virgin plastic from the supply chain.
“I’d like to congratulate Britvic Ireland on their announcement of a €6m investment at their facility in Newcastle West, Co Limerick which will support the growth, expansion, and sustainability credentials of one of Ireland’s best-known water brands, Ballygowan,” said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney, TD.
“I warmly welcome the creation of 28 new manufacturing roles at the facility, and the strategic investment in the sustainable, long-term production of Ballygowan mineral water.”
