Abbott Ireland has lodged a planning application with Kilkenny County Council to extend its existing industrial building at the Kilkenny IDA Business and Technology Park as reported by Ireland Live.

The expansion aims to accommodate additional medical device manufacturing floor space, corridors, and service areas, while rooftop photovoltaic arrays will support sustainability initiatives. Written by Liam Kelly O’Rourke.

The application also includes changes to the site’s southeastern vehicular entrance and car park. Kilkenny County Council is expected to decide on the proposal by 24 February 2026.

The project builds on Abbott’s significant local investment in November 2024, when the company opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility attended by then An Taoiseach Simon Harris and Abbott Chairman and CEO Robert Ford. The expansion is set to strengthen the company’s operational footprint and support high-volume, precision manufacturing.

The Kilkenny facility serves Abbott’s medical device production requirements, supplying a broad range of healthcare solutions. The extension will enhance workflow efficiency and capacity, aligning with the company’s strategy to scale operations in response to increasing global demand.

Industry observers note that the proposed expansion could deepen Abbott’s engagement with the local economy and international business network, reflecting ongoing confidence in Ireland’s manufacturing sector. Ancillary works accompanying the extension are designed to support operational functionality, employee access, and logistical efficiency.

Approval of the plan would mark a further step in Abbott’s commitment to advanced manufacturing in Ireland, combining production growth with sustainability measures through rooftop solar arrays and optimised building layouts.

The council’s decision later this month will determine the future scale and pace of these enhancements at the Kilkenny site.

Explore how Abbott Ireland’s Kilkenny expansion will transform medical device manufacturing in the region in the full story.