EPA flags issues with Kingspan site

Kingspan has issued a statement after one of its sites was flagged by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amid concerns over carbon emissions.

The Kingspan Building Products Limited site in Kingscourt was among 10 industrial and waste-licensed facilities cited as 'National Priority Sites' by the EPA in 2024.

The watchdog added the local firm to the list highlighting concerns with regard to emissions to air and facility management.

But in a statement to The Anglo-Celt, Kingspan has explained its inclusion on the list, stating the issue raised relates “in part” to ongoing expansion plans and, as such, the company has indicated its intention to apply for an “updated” Industrial Emissions Licence.

Kingspan Ltd is part of the Kingspan Group and has held an industrial emissions (IE) licence since 1997 for the manufacture of Kingspan insulated panels at Kingscourt.

The site at Kingscourt expanded significantly in 2021, with the addition of Kingspan Light, Air and Water Division to manufacture rooflights.

For licencing purposes, it is listed under the 'Chemical' sector.

A new revised licence application was submitted in December 2024, Kingspan says, which is now under review. That process is still ongoing and, when complete, will bring all site activities within the existing IE licence.

Last year, Kingspan secured planning permission to build a new process building to the rear of its existing factory on the Carrickmacross Road.

Included in the new facility is a new pentane recovery system and a concrete yard area. Permission was granted with nine conditions attached.

A spokesperson for the company informed the Celt: “We take compliance very seriously, and work closely with regulators to ensure all our manufacturing sites are fully compliant. This issue relates in part to expansion of activities in line with continuing growth and innovation at our Kingscourt facility for which we have re-submitted our existing licence to include expanded areas of the site.”

They acknowledge that the EPA’s most recent audit did indeed find “a number of ‘non-compliances’”, but added that these have “either been corrected or are in the process of being resolved”.

“We expect to receive an updated IE licence for the entire manufacturing site later this year.”

The EPA's list of priority sites in 2024 was dominated by businesses operating in the food and drink and waste sectors.

Unauthorised discharges to waterways and odour issues were the most common compliance failures detected.

The EPA carried out 1,300 inspections at 634 licensed facilities last year.

Out of the 905 EPA-licensed sites, 10 were identified as requiring priority action.

Commenting on the latest report, Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement said: “With the appropriate management commitment to environmental protection and to sufficient investment in infrastructure, particularly in the treatment of wastewater, all of these sites can comply with statutory requirements and be good neighbours to local communities. Companies that fail to respect their licence conditions, cause nuisance to neighbours and put the environment at risk will be held to account by EPA.”