Crumb Rubber set to invest €4.5 million in new plant

Tyre recycler and manufacturer, Crumb Rubber, has unveiled plans to double its work force with the announcement of 25 new jobs. The new jobs are part of an inward investment plan that will see €4.5 million invested in the Co. Louth firm, which recycles scrap tyres and turns them into innovative eco- friendly rubber products. The investment includes a new high tech recycling plant which will increase production by 75 per cent.

Co. Louth TD and Minister for state Fergus O Dowd was on hand at the announcement and said: “I am delighted to see this boost for this rural economy. The Taoiseach has just launched the report on energising Irelands’ local economy and this announcement is exactly what we need to see to sustain small rural communities. 25 new jobs is a significant number for such a small community. Well done to Crumb Rubber for their enterprise, energy and products for bringing this expansion to Co. Louth.”

Sales Director Leo Kerley spoke on the announcement: “This investment, with 25 new jobs will enable Crumb Rubber to compete internationally. We must thank our loyal customers who support us by using our waste tyre collection services and by buying our products. We are an Enterprise Ireland client and thanks to their support, have opened up export markets. With increased production we can make greater strides in these markets and look to open other sales channels abroad. Increasing production will also make our current production more sustainable with greater economies of scale.”

Mairead Mc Guinness, MEP spoke of the need to get “recognition both domestically and in Europe, that waste tyres are a valuable raw material for a new life cycle of products.
Crumb Rubber is an example of a company that saw a market opportunity and had built a business based on recycling of types.” she said

Speaking about the renewed sense of confidence and recovery in the economy, Ms McGuinness she said that it is SME sector companies like Crumb Rubber, that are driving recovery through the creation of jobs in parishes around the country.

Much more is needed and Government must work with businesses to secure investment and jobs throughout the country.

“I am pleased to see these new jobs coming to my home county of Louth. Crumb Rubber is a unique business and needs to be supported in the work it does taking waste tyres and turning them into useful products,” she said.

Crumb Rubber recycles scrap tyres and granulates them into products for sports tracks, pitches and pathways, gardens and playgrounds. The company also makes rubber matting products with a diverse range of products that are used in the construction, agricultural, equestrian, local authority, sports and landscaping sectors. Research and development is at the core of Crumb Rubbers production.

Its innovative products range from road bollards and stable matting, to sound proof matting on the Luas line.

Crumb Rubber is the only plant of its kind in Ireland, taking waste tyres out of the waste stream and turning them into useful, import substitute and export products. This investment plan will cement its market domestically and allow it to robustly compete globally with innovative matting products.