It was announced today that Arramara Teoranta, a seaweed processing company located in Cill Chiaráin, Conamara, is now under the new ownership of Acadian Seaplants Limited, a multi-national company which has its base in Canada.
Announcing the new ownership of Arramara today, the Minister of State of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D. said, “The purchase of Arramara by Acadian Seaplants is a very positive step. This strategic partnership will ensure the company’s future in Connemara and will result in the further development of the seaweed processing sector here. I welcome the announcement today by Acadian Seaplants that it is to make an initial investment of €2 million in Arramara as a first step and that further investment will follow in areas of research, development of value-added products, market development, processing technologies and capital expenditure. These investments will ensure a continuous demand for seaweed from the local harvesters and provide more employment in the area.”
He commended Údarás na Gaeltachta for the work it has done to bring this strategic process to completion and said that An tÚdarás will continue to work in partnership with Acadian Seaplants to develop the seaweed sector for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community and all stakeholders.”
Arramara purchases seaweed from local harvesters. The company dries and mills the seaweed and supplies the resource to companies in Ireland and worldwide. It currently employs 20 people directly and purchases seaweed from over 300 harvesters. Údarás na Gaeltachta was given ownership of Arramara in 2006. Following a review of the company, it was clear that expertise and investment were required to secure the company’s future and offer the best advantage to all its stakeholders. Following a comprehensive evaluation process, a strategic investment partner was found in Acadian Seaplants Limited.
Steve Ó Cúláin, the Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said “The seaweed industry has and continues to be a very important industry to the Gaeltacht community. An tÚdarás believes investment as well as expertise is now necessary if the potential of the seaweed industry is to be realised in the Gaeltacht. This strategic partnership with Acadian Seaplants Limited, a company with over 30 years’ global experience in the industry, and the investment it brings will allow Arramara to develop its business into the future, with benefit accruing to all as a result of increased economic activity and increased local employment.”
He said that he was confident this new partnership with Acadian Seaplants would ensure the future of Arramara, give maximum economic benefit to its employees, the seaweed harvesters, its suppliers and customers, and thereby deliver the best value for the State and the community.