The $50 million (£28m) facility will produce feed for Tasmania’s salmon industry, as well as producing aquafeeds and pet food for customers in New Zealand and on the Australian mainland.
Ridley’s acting chief executive David Lord cut a ribbon to mark the plant’s opening yesterday. He was joined by Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman, primary industries minister Guy Barnett and Ridley aquafeed general manager Adrian Lochland.
The Tasmanian government gave Ridley a $2 million grant to help fund the factory, which will employ about 20 people at its current level, but has the capacity to expand production. It is expected to put around $21 million a year into the state’s economy.
