Irish exporter Ornua has re-opened a €30m cheese production facility in Ávila, central Spain.

The dairy co-operative says this will 'secure its position' as a world leading pizza cheese supplier.

The new facility has been built on the former Ornua cheese manufacturing site, opening two years to the day since that site was destroyed by a fire.

The 35,000-tonne mozzarella and pizza cheese facility has plans to increase to a 70,000-tonne capacity.

Ornua supplies enough cheese for over 100 million pizzas each year.

Image: Ornua

The facility also marked the creation of Ornua Ingredients Europe - which brings its Spanish and UK ingredients businesses together.

The operation in Spain employs over 120 people.

Speaking at the opening, Ornua CEO John Jordan said: "Today's opening of our new cheese facility here in Ávila is fully in line with Ornua's growth strategy of investing in world-class strategic production facilities to secure long term returns for Irish dairy farmers.

"This major investment will play a key role in enhancing our cheese ingredients capacity and capabilities.

"It will reinforce our position as a leading, large scale supplier of high-quality dairy ingredients to many leading Spanish, European and global food manufacturing and food service customers."

Image: Ornua

The Irish ambassador to Spain, Sile Maguire, added:"The new Ornua facility in Ávila reflects Irish and Spanish commitment to excellence and innovation in the food industry, and to our shared confidence in this vital sector."

Led by newly-appointed managing director Joan Bombardo, Ornua Ingredients Europe incorporates Ávila and Ornua's UK ingredients businesses - giving it a turnover of over €300m.

It also houses four processing and NPD facilities.