€5 million investment for Mount Lucas sustainability site led by TUS Athlone
The Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone has welcomed the announcement of a €5 million investment in the Mount Lucas Bioeconomy Aquaculture Initiative.
The initiative, funded by the EU Just Transition Fund, was announced today, Wednesday October 9 by Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D.
Rooted in sustainability, the site will function as both an in-action and visual representation of ‘bio-economy’, demonstrating how renewable living organisms such as rainbow trout can be utilised to produce food, energy and industrial based goods.
Functioning as a circular peatland, with integrated feeding and nutrition aquaculture, it will showcase how environmentally friendly practices can support the region and beyond by producing new feeds and food ingredients from cultivated duckweed and macroalgae, using agri-food waste streams.
Designed as fully circular, the site is powered by energy generated from onsite wind turbines, promoting a zero-waste approach.
Professor Neil Rowan, Lead Principal Investigator, Bioeconomy Demonstration for Change of Land Use at TUS, said: “The Mount Lucas site is a landmark transformative project. It supports demonstration of new products for companies and entrepreneurs along with creating new employment for the people of Offaly and for connected counties across this Just Transition Territory.
"The site operates next-generation technologies ranging from aquatech to a biorefinery along with a green innovation suite that houses extended reality equipment for bespoke training.”
Andrew Murray, Acting Director of Services in Offaly County Council, remarked: “We are pleased to support the Mount Lucas site, which will serve as a testbed for innovative technology and a catalyst for the development and sustainability of food systems.
"This project represents a significant integrated initiative that prioritises collaboration with local communities, moving away from isolated strategies to ensure a more cohesive and impactful approach.”
Project partners include University of Galway, University of Cork, Teagasc, Indigo Rock Marine Research Institute and Derilinx. Promoting a collaborative approach from the onset, Mount Lucas welcomes industry product testing that aligns with its sustainability principles, with the goal of achieving green technology certification.
As a founding partner of the Irish Bioeconomy foundation, TUS is also delighted to be a key partner in the Lisheen Bioeconomy Scaleup Initiative, led by Tipperary County Council.