O&S Doors to turn dust into power in a £9million ‘first of its kind’ investment

Pictured (L-R) are Alison Currie, Chief Development Officer at Invest NI; First Minister, Michelle O’Neill; John Toomey, CEO of O&S Doors; Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald

The First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed a £9million investment by O&S Doors to install a biomass-fuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. The investment is co-funded by the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme, with a grant of £2.4m. 

O&S Doors is the first business across the island of Ireland to install the system. It will turn MDF dust, which is normally transported offsite for processing in Europe or to landfill, into 6.3million units of energy to power its heating and manufacturing processes.  

Making the announcement during a visit to the company’s Dungannon facility, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This is a hugely innovative investment by O&S Doors and a real commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Turning MDF dust into clean energy is good for the environment and makes economic sense. I am delighted to see a local company leading the way with technology of this scale and ambition, helping to position the North as a place where green innovation and advanced manufacturing go hand in hand.” 

Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly said: “As a locally based company, O&S Doors is a success story for our manufacturing sector, and this latest investment will ensure the company continues to grow and thrive. Investing in high-efficiency technology and greener ways of working is essential if we are to harness our economic potential, drive productivity and boost our growing reputation on the world’s economic stage while creating jobs and supporting long-term growth.”  

The Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant is part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme delivered by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.  

Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “Investing in sustainable, green initiatives is essential for business, our economy and our planet.  It’s also vital that the benefits of this transition are felt across all our regions, with businesses across the north being supported in their innovation and contribution to a sustainable economic future.  Regional balance is central to my Economic Vision, and this project in Dungannon shows how industries in every part of the north can thrive and lead the way. 

“I commend the three enterprise agencies for coming together to deliver a scheme that will help businesses across this island to invest in revolutionary technology and sustainable operations. It will support businesses to make green innovative investments and help us meet our Net Zero commitments.”

The new system will burn in excess of 10,000 tonnes of MDF dust per year to generate to generate 1 MW of electricity which will save 1500 tonnes of carbon per annum from the company’s operations.  

O&S Doors is the UK and Ireland’s largest manufacturer of wooden doors, panels and associated accessories. Its clients come from a variety of sectors across the island of Ireland, UK and most recently the USA including over 300 independent retailers, B&Q and Magnet.

John Toomey, CEO of O&S Doors said: “As a company we are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2028 through investments in electric vehicle adoption and zero waste landfill operations. This new CHP project is another central pillar to this ambition enabling us to reduce our reliance on purchasing electricity and reduce production of emissions linked to off-site MDF waste transport.  

“This investment also aligns with our growth strategy to expand our Dungannon site in the future by providing us with reliable, cost-effective renewable energy. We are also hopeful that the new CHP system will increase our efficiency and productivity by removing waste handling constraints in our manufacturing process.”  

This is one of three projects in the north which has received funding from the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme awards made by Invest Northern Ireland.  

Alison Currie, Chief Development Officer at Invest NI said: “This announcement is a clear example of how we are helping companies throughout Northern Ireland to invest in energy and resource efficiency technologies to drive their competitiveness, green growth and commitment to Net Zero.  

“It is also fantastic to see a significant investment such as this be made in Mid Ulster. This will no doubt have wider benefits to the local economy but also support the development of skills and knowledge within the region's well known manufacturing sector.”     

More information on the other two Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant projects will be announced by Invest NI later this year.