Ornua has confirmed that a fire has severely damaged a mozzarella production facility at Ornua Ingredientes Espana, Avila, Spain.
No one was injured in the incident and the fire was brought under control by emergency services, it was revealed.
Ornua and the Spanish authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Ornua thanked the Spanish emergency services for their hard work in dealing with the fire.
Ornua has commenced a process of direct engagement with its approximately 120-member staff (between full and part time) at Avila, as it examines the impacts of the fire.
This news comes just days after the official opening of a new 5,000ft² innovation centre in Chicago, Illinois, by Ornua’s subsidiary CoreFX.
Ornua, which claims to be the largest exporter of Irish dairy products, announced the acquisition of CoreFX ingredients in November of last year.
It is hoped that the new centre will complement Ornua’s existing innovation network in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the US.
Since June 2016, CoreFX has more than quadrupled its number of employees – from 12 to 50, according to Ornua.
Speaking at the opening, Ornua’s CEO Kevin Lane said: “The opening of the innovation centre at CoreFX marks a key milestone in its exciting growth journey and greatly improves its capability and ability to create innovative ingredients solutions that meet customer needs.
Innovation is core to Ornua’s growth plans and this centre further strengthens Ornua’s global innovation network, which now covers Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the US.
Ornua markets, sells and exports Irish dairy products on the behalf of its members – Ireland’s dairy processors, and in turn Irish dairy farmers – to approximately 110 countries worldwide.