Finnebrogue Artisan to build new factory for plant-based food

Finnebrogue Artisan, a UK producer of meat products including Naked nitrite-free bacon, is building a new factory for plant-based food.

The Northern Ireland company says that it is investing £25 million in the project which will create 300 new jobs.

According to Finnebrogue, the move comes amid “surging” demand for plant-based food from customers in Britain.

Finnebrogue will be launching a portfolio of plant-based products in January, and it says that these are expected to fall under a more diverse Naked brand.

A spokesman for the company said: “This state-of-the-art factory, combined with some extraordinary technological leaps in new product development, will enable us to make nutritionally balanced, delicious and sustainable plant-based food that’s virtually indistinguishable from the meat we will be imitating. It is a tantalising prospect for flexitarians up and down the United Kingdom.”

The plant will be Finnebrogue’s fourth new factory in five years and will take the company’s head count to 1,200 by the end of 2021.

George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “I am very pleased that Finnebrogue’s brand new investment will provide a valuable boost to local employment opportunities in Northern Ireland, advancing the company’s ambition to create and promote fantastic and affordable UK food.”