ARMAGH-based AIC Group, which specialises in thermal treatment and waste-to-energy systems, has secured a prestigious contract with NHS England following an investment in research and development.
The contract will see the company - which is increasing its staff numbers from 10 to 16 - instal a waste-to-energy plant from its EcoTech line of products at a London hospital.
The new facility will treat medical waste at a rate of one tonne an hour and deliver steam to the hospital for use in its localised district heating system.
AIC's technical sales director Conor Donnelly said: “Our continued investment in developing our own bespoke thermal treatment and waste-to-energy systems has opened doors for us throughout the UK, Ireland and further afield.
“We see significant opportunities too in the US and are also pushing into the South American, African and Asian markets.”
The company has utilised a grant from Invest NI to invest in developing its EcoTech product range, enabling customers to transform waste products into usable heat and electrical energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
Conor added: “We’ve rapidly expanded our range from small stand-alone solutions treating agricultural waste to advanced high-capacity systems to meet the needs of the hazardous waste disposal and sustainable energy markets.
“Our ability to design, manufacture, instal and maintain these bespoke solutions for our customers has been a key selling point for us.
“As a result of our continuing success and with ongoing reinvestment in the company, we're now taking on a further six employees in both office and factory floor positions to ensure we can meet the growth in demand.”
Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI’s director of research & development said: “AIC Group, which we've supported in a number of ways since 2016, has built its success on continued innovation.
“It recognised and quickly responded to opportunities stemming from increasing energy and waste disposal costs and the demand for a circular and sustainable green economy.
“Advanced manufacturing and engineering is a priority cluster identified as an area where Northern Ireland has the potential to be a global leader, and companies like AIC, with a strong focus on innovation, are helping to strengthen and grow this cluster.”
