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Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber (centre) pictured at the Mid-West Sustainability Network event with (from left): Niamh Breslin, sustainability manager, IDA Ireland; Tom O’Carroll, director manufacturing, Ireland, Zimmer Ireland; Dermot Graham, quality assurance coordinator, Magellan Aviation Group; Jackie O’Dowd, regional manager Mid-West, IDA Ireland; and Barry Lowe, technical leadership consultant. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Multinational companies in Shannon and the wider Mid-west region are embedding sustainability into their core business strategy, with significant investment being directed towards energy efficiency. This was the clear message emanating from a recent sustainability-focused event hosted by Shannon Chamber in partnership with IDA Ireland and held in Zimmer Biomet’s facility in Shannon, Co. Clare.

The event was attended by multinational companies from across the region who heard how IDA sustainability supports are helping businesses accelerate their transition to net zero while enhancing competitiveness and operational efficiency.

Attendees heard practical insights into IDA Ireland’s Green Plus and Green Capital supports, which help companies develop climate action plans and fund multi-year sustainability projects across areas such as decarbonisation, circular economy initiatives, water conservation and climate adaptation.

Speaking at the event Niamh Breslin, sustainability manager at IDA Ireland said: “Sustainability is recognised by IDA Ireland as a strategic growth driver and as it becomes increasingly central to companies’ business strategies, we are focused on supporting clients through the provision of programmes such as the Green Plus and Green Capital supports, helping companies develop practical climate action plans, invest in decarbonisation and ultimately strengthen the long-term competitiveness of their operations in Ireland.”

The event also featured case studies from companies at different stages of their sustainability journey.

Zimmer Biomet outlined how sustainability has become fully integrated into its operations, highlighting initiatives such as paperless manufacturing, large-scale solar installation projects and ongoing investments in green energy and operational efficiencies.

Magellan Aviation Group’s quality assurance coordinator Dermot Graham shared how the company successfully improved its Eco Vadis sustainability rating from 45 to 75 through a structured environmental, social and governance (ESG) improvement programme supported by IDA Ireland’s Green Plus grant. The company implemented over twenty sustainability-related policies, established a full Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon baseline and introduced a range of energy, waste and supplier engagement initiatives.

Technical leadership consultant, Barry Lowe, detailed how sustainability forms a core pillar of Lufthansa Technik Turbine Shannon’s (LTTS) long-term business strategy, with Green Capital support helping fund energy-efficiency upgrades and digital transformation projects designed to reduce emissions and improve operational performance.

The session provided multinational companies with practical guidance on how to access IDA sustainability supports, structure successful applications and identify internal stakeholders needed to drive projects forward, including sustainability, facilities, finance, operations and health and safety teams.

Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes said that the strong uptake in sustainability investment by its member companies demonstrates the Mid-West’s leadership role in supporting Ireland’s climate ambitions while strengthening the region’s attractiveness for international investment.

“Investment in sustainability initiatives gives companies a competitive edge, drives resource efficiency and delivers cost savings.”

She encouraged member companies supported by IDA Ireland to contact their project executives or IDA’s sustainability team to avail of the wide-ranging supports available and encouraged seminar attendees to have a clearly defined business strategy when applying for state support.

“Engage external expertise, where necessary, for strategy development and to create a sustainability roadmap. Most importantly, involve senior management at all stages of the process,” she added.

This seminar was one of a series of events organised by Shannon Chamber, via its Mid-West Sustainability Network. Information on future events can be found at www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training.