Renovation works to a partially collapsed building used to produce malt at Boortmalt’s Athy plant is on track to be completed by April 2020. In July 2019, the collapse of one of the malt producing facilities at the Athy site resulted in a loss of around 70,000t of malting capacity.
Renovation works to a partially collapsed building used to produce malt at Boortmalt’s Athy plant is on track to be completed by April 2020.
In July 2019, the collapse of one of the malt producing facilities at the Athy site resulted in a loss of around 70,000t of malting capacity.
In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Bootmalt, the world’s largest malster, said that the works at its Athy, Co Kildrae, site are proceeding on time and the facility is on track to be fully operational in April.
The loss of malting capacity added huge uncertainty for growers in 2019. However, talks between the IFA and Boortmalt reaffirmed the malster's intent to honour 2019 contracts despite its drop in capacity.
However, challenges in meeting contracted grain specifications last year, namely protein levels, meant that a proportion of many growers contracts were rejected.
Boortmalt expansion plans at the Athy site.
New facility operation
The new malting facility, which is still under construction, saw its first batch go into production this week.
Upon completion in April the facility is expected to add up to 40,000t of malt capacity which would bring output back up to 70% of 2019 levels.
It features new steeping, germination and kilning vessels, as well as additional malt outloading facilities.
Read more
Low proteins cause problems for barley growers
Boortmalt not reducing barley buying after plant collapse
Boortmalt to honour 2019 contracts despite drop in capacity
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