Private Sector Investment in Circular Infrastructure at Walshestown Facility

Enva, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading recycling and resource recovery specialists, welcomed Alan Dillon, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with responsibility for the Circular Economy, to its Walshestown Resource Recovery Facility earlier this week. The company showcased how private sector investment is already delivering the infrastructure needed to support Ireland’s housing, climate and resource ambitions.

Located in Co. Kildare, the facility represents one of the most advanced construction and demolition (C&D) waste recovery operations in Ireland. Designed to recover high-quality recycled sand, soil and aggregate products, Walshestown demonstrates how waste can be transformed into valuable secondary materials, reducing reliance on virgin resources and lowering the carbon footprint of construction and infrastructure projects.

With over €100 billion in planned infrastructure investment and a target to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030, Ireland faces growing demand for materials while construction continues to be its largest waste stream. Meeting these challenges requires domestic circular infrastructure at scale.

Developed in partnership with CDE and backed by I Squared Capital, a leading infrastructure investor in Enva, the 180 tonnes-per-hour wet-processing facility demonstrates how private sector investment, enabled by clear policy and regulation, is already delivering the infrastructure required to support Ireland’s circular transition.

Operating under EPA licensing and End-of-Waste frameworks, the facility processes up to 330,000 tonnes per annum and recovers around 70% of incoming material into reusable aggregates, reducing landfill dependency and supporting a more resource-efficient construction sector.

Enabling circular economy delivery at scale.

Walshestown provides a clear example of how circular solutions are being delivered in practice, supported by stable regulatory frameworks that enable long-term investment in environmental infrastructure.

Roger McDermott, Chief Executive Officer, Enva, said:

“Walshestown demonstrates how Ireland can translate circular economy policy into real, functioning infrastructure that supports housing delivery and climate objectives.

By recovering high-quality materials from construction and demolition waste, we are helping to reduce reliance on finite resources while supporting our customers in lowering their environmental impact and advancing their decarbonisation programmes.

To fully realise this potential, it is essential that regulatory pathways remain clear and consistent, End-of-Waste approvals are progressed efficiently, and public procurement continues to support the adoption of recycled materials across infrastructure delivery.”

Mohamed El Gazzar, Senior Partner, I Squared Capital, said:

“Ireland offers a strong market for long-term infrastructure investment underpinned by clear policy direction and a growing need for sustainable solutions. As a long-term investor in Enva, we are proud to support the continued growth of the business through investments like Walshestown. This facility reflects the rising demand for sustainable, low-carbon solutions and highlights the critical role that resource recovery infrastructure can play in enabling the circular economy.”

Alan Dillon, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, stated:

“I welcome that Enva and I Squared Capital are leading the way in providing recycling and resource recovery solutions that supports the full life cycle of products. Construction and demolition waste makes up half of all waste generated in Ireland, with 75% sent for backfilling. The Circular Economy Strategy sets the ambition to reduce this by 12% by 2030. 

This facility delivers a fully aligned circular infrastructure solution, supporting Government objectives, enabling national housing and infrastructure delivery, reducing reliance on virgin resources, lowering carbon, and attracting long-term, sustainable investment to support enterprise.”

A model for sustainable construction in Ireland

As Ireland continues to scale up housing and infrastructure delivery, Walshestown highlights the need to scale the use of recovered materials within the construction supply chain. By reducing reliance on virgin aggregates, lowering embodied carbon and enabling the recovery of valuable materials, facilities like Walshestown will play a critical role in supporting national climate targets and resource security.

Ireland has a significant opportunity to lead in circular construction through the continued alignment of policy, regulation, procurement and industry investment.

While facilities like Walshestown demonstrate that this capability now exists, scaling this model to meet national demand will require continued support across policy, regulation and market frameworks.

Delivering this at scale will require continued clarity and consistency in regulatory pathways, accelerated End-of-Waste approvals, stronger public procurement signals for recycled materials, and long-term policy stability to support infrastructure investment.