The Re3 Group’s new facility will offer a sustainable alternative for the treatment of waste by using steam technology that will recycle and recover up to 85 per cent of waste that currently goes to landfill.

The Re3 Group will create 50 jobs in all at the Limerick facility, 20 of which will be created immediately with a further 30 coming on stream within 12 months.

Announcing the investment, Re3 group chief executive, Professor Debbie Boyd, said: “The facility at the Galvone Industrial Estate in Limerick will be the showcase for this innovative new technology and there are already plans to develop it at other sites including Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and worldwide.

“This world-first technology is the next generation in recycling and recovery. It has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of domestic waste and is a sustainable and clean alternative to both landfill and incineration. The process converts waste into an eco-fuel that is a real green-energy alternative to fossil fuels. It will, therefore, help avoid environmentally damaging emissions and support Ireland in meeting its international climate change obligations.”

The process converts waste into a valuable inert bio-mass fuel, which will have a wide range of uses in heating and power generation, reducing the carbon footprint of Ireland, while at the same increasing the amount of recyclable materials that can be extracted.

“Household waste to landfill increased by 15 per cent in 2006 alone in Ireland and the domestic recycling rate remains stubbornly unchanged at 22 per cent.

“There is an urgent need for safe and sustainable treatment solutions, which increase recycling and recovery rates.

“Indeed, without these solutions, the national target of 50 per cent of household waste diversion from landfill will not be met and Ireland will face substantial fines from the European Union as a result. The Re3 Group has now created one of these solutions,’’ addded Professor Boyd.