The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a new player might enter the infant formula sector in Ireland.

Chinese infant formula company Newbaze has acquired a manufacturing plant in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. The plant was previously owned by the electronics manufacturer Bose.

The Carrickmacross plant is understood to become the European headquarters for Newbaze and it is expected around 150 people will be employed at the plant once it gets up to full operation.

While few details are known, it could be likely the factory will source finished milk powder from Abbott’s nearby infant nutrition facility in Cootehill, for further packaging and export.

Newbaze was incorporated in February this year and has an address in Dublin. Its parent company in Shanghai is a significant importer of infant formula into China.

Ireland supplies 12% of the world’s infant formula.