Abbott has officially opened a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, marking a major milestone in its diabetes care business. The launch ceremony was attended by the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, and Abbott’s chairman and CEO, Robert Ford.
The Kilkenny facility, which serves as a global manufacturing centre of excellence, will create over 800 jobs. It forms part of Abbott’s €440 million investment in Ireland, which also includes a significant expansion of its Donegal site, adding 200 more jobs there.
Spanning 30,000 square meters, the Kilkenny site is producing FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, the smallest and most advanced devices in Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring portfolio for people with diabetes. Sustainability was central to the design of the facility, which is fully electric, powered by six air-to-water heat pumps, equipped with nearly 600 rooftop solar panels, and features rainwater collection tanks for onsite use.
As part of its ongoing commitment to Ireland, Abbott announced a $100,000 (€95,000) grant to The Ireland Funds. Administered through the No Mind Left Behind scholarship program, the grant will support three 2024 Leaving Certificate graduates from local DEIS schools—Coláiste Mhuire, Grennan College, and Castlecomer Community School. These scholarships will help the students pursue third-level education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), aligning with Abbott’s mission to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
Beyond Ireland, Abbott is also investing £85 million (€101 million) in its Witney facility in Oxfordshire, UK, further expanding its manufacturing capacity across Europe.