'One of the most advanced recycling plants in Europe': Two Northern Ireland companies mark completion of landmark £16m facility

Northern Ireland waste-management service McKinstry Group and Dungannon’s Kiverco have marked the completion and handover of a major new £16m recycling plant, representing a significant investment in local waste recovery, recycling infrastructure and circular economy.

The landmark project brings together two Northern Ireland companies, combining McKinstry Group’s continued investment in sustainable waste management with Kiverco’s specialist engineering and recycling plant expertise.

Designed, engineered and delivered by Kiverco, the new high-performance facility will support McKinstry Group’s ongoing growth by helping the business process waste more efficiently, recover more valuable materials and reduce the volume of material sent to landfill.

The project has also supported a wider network of local contractors and suppliers throughout the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning stages, further highlighting the strength of Northern Ireland’s engineering, manufacturing and construction supply chain.

Michelle O’Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland, said: “This landmark £16m investment is a strong example of the innovation, engineering expertise and ambition that exists here locally.

“The completion of this advanced recycling plant demonstrates how local companies such as Kiverco and McKinstry Group are helping to lead the way in sustainability, resource recovery and the transition to a more circular economy.

"Projects like this not only strengthen our environmental infrastructure, but also showcase our capability to deliver world-class engineering solutions.

“As First Minister and someone from Mid-Ulster, I am extremely proud to see a local company like Kiverco, delivering a landmark project of this scale.”

The new plant combines robust engineering with advanced screening and separation technology, AI-driven systems and integrated digital controls. It has been designed to process high volumes of mixed waste, improve material flow, increase recovery rates and give McKinstry Group greater visibility and control across the recycling process.

Darren McKinstry, managing director at McKinstry Group, continued: “This new plant represents a major investment in the future of our business. Working with Kiverco has allowed us to develop a plant that is built around our material, our site and our long-term ambitions. The new facility will help us increase capacity, improve efficiency and recover more valuable materials from the waste we process.

"We are very pleased to have reached the completion and handover stage and look forward to seeing the plant fully support the next phase of growth for McKinstry Group.”

John Irwin, managing director at Kiverco explained: “Completing and handing over this £16m plant to McKinstry Group is a proud moment for everyone at Kiverco. This is the largest project we have delivered to date and one of the most advanced recycling plants in Europe, reflecting the strength, capability and expertise of our entire team.

“The plant brings together robust Kiverco engineering, advanced separation technology, AI-driven technology and digital systems to give McKinstry Group greater visibility, control and performance across their operation.

“With over 30 years’ experience in the recycling industry, we understand what it takes to design and deliver complex, high-performance plants of this scale. This project demonstrates the depth of skill and technical capability within Kiverco, and our ability to deliver intelligent, future-focused solutions that few others in the industry could.

“We are delighted to have worked with McKinstry Group on such a significant project and look forward to seeing the impact this plant will have on their business for many years to come.”

The successful handover follows a detailed design, manufacturing and installation process, with both companies working closely to deliver a solution tailored to the specific requirements of the site.