Agri business group IAWS is to expand its rendering operations with the acquisition of Monery By Products in Cavan for a sum thought to be about £3 million.

No spokesman for IAWS was available to comment but the acquisition of Monery will add to IAWS's rendering capacity and increase its share of the market. IAWS already operates two rendering plants - Premier Proteins in Ballinasloe, Co Galway and Lisburn Proteins in Antrim.

The requirement to upgrade rendering plants to comply with EU regulations means IAWS will probably have to invest in its new plant to bring into line with EU requirements. Rendering involves taking in the waste from meat factories and, using high temperature, high pressure cooking, converting the waste into bone meal for animal feed.