Panda’s €35 million Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) processing facility in Knockharley, Co. Meath, is the first purpose-built plant in the country designed to manage this material domestically. Instead of exporting 120,000 tonnes of ash abroad every year, Ireland can now process it at home, reducing emissions, strengthening national infrastructure, and recovering valuable resources that would otherwise be lost.
Processing Bottom Ash for a Circular Economy
Incinerator Bottom Ash, or IBA, is the material left after waste is processed for energy. It contains metals and mineral material that can be recovered and reused.
Each year, around 120,000 tonnes of IBA is generated as part of the waste-to-energy process. Until recently, all of that material was shipped abroad for treatment.
Our Knockharley facility now provides a full on-island alternative, capable of processing 120,000 tonnes annually.
Through advanced separation systems, the facility recovers:
- Ferrous metals
- Non-ferrous metals
- A conditioned mineral fraction
Approximately 8,000 tonnes of metal will be extracted each year, material that can be refined and recycled abroad.
Supporting Sustainable Construction in Ireland
Once metals are removed, the remaining mineral material undergoes treatment and conditioning. This material is currently stored on-site for potential use in the construction sector in the future.
This mirrors well-established practice across the UK and Europe, where processed IBA aggregate is commonly used as a more sustainable option.
By bringing this capability to Ireland, the Knockharley facility has the potential to:
- Cut carbon emissions in construction
- Reduce reliance on imported or quarried aggregates
- Support public and private infrastructure projects with a circular alternative
- Keep resources in use for longer
A Major Step Forward for Ireland’s Waste Infrastructure
Our facility has been welcomed by the operators of the Dublin Waste-to-Energy plant, who see it as a long-awaited solution for managing bottom ash locally.
It also represents a key milestone in meeting Ireland’s broader goals around:
- Circular resource use
- Reduced waste exports
- Carbon reduction
- Greater national self-sufficiency
By recovering metals and preparing processed ash for future use as a recycled material, our Knockharley site demonstrates how modern waste infrastructure can deliver value, efficiency, and environmental benefit.
Supporting Ireland’s Future Waste Solutions
The Knockharley IBA facility shows how modern waste infrastructure can recover more resources at home and reduce the need for exports. As more materials are kept in circulation, homes and businesses across Ireland benefit from a stronger and more sustainable waste system.
For anyone looking to manage waste responsibly, the right support is already in place. Households can explore Panda’s Home Waste Management options, while companies can learn more about our Business Waste Management services and how we help organisations improve their environmental performance.
Ireland’s move towards a circular economy depends on progress like this, and the Knockharley facility is a key part of that journey.
