Tine Ireland plans new cheese production facility

Tine Ireland, a subsidiary of the Norwegian dairy cooperative Tine, has announced plans to build a new Jarlsberg cheese production facility and administration building in Mogeely, County Cork.

Jarlsberg is a mild cow’s milk cheese with large regular holes that originates from Norway, which is also produced in other countries under licenses from Norwegian dairy producers.

Tine is reported to be the largest producer, distributor and exporter of dairy products in Norway.

The cooperative has awarded a €25m contract to construction firm BAM Ireland for the construction of its new facility.

BAM Ireland intends to begin construction work this month and the project is expected to be completed by November next year.

Tine Ireland’s proposed facility will be located on a greenfield site adjoining the existing Dairygold Mogeely plant.

It is expected to produce approximately 14,000t of cheese per year.

The new plant will feature both warm and cool rooms, which will be used for different phases of the cheese maturing and flavour development process.

It will also feature a brine room with gantry crane, while the warm and cool rooms will be equipped with super-flat floors for forklift access.

Additionally, the facility will be integrated with specialist equipment such as mould presses and vats for the production of curds and whey.

BAM Ireland noted that significant earthworks will be required to prepare the site for the building’s foundations.

The plant structure is set to feature a steelwork frame with long spanning trusses and will be clad with Kingspan insulated panels.