Pictured at the new biodiversity area in Cappincur Industrial Estate, Tullamore, were: (L to R) Joanne Burke, KMK Metals Recycling, Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, and Christina Kyck-Murray, KMK Metals Recycling.

Tullamore company launches new biodiversity area in local industrial estate

Published: Thu 25 Sep 2025, 6:56 PM

Last updated: Thu 25 Sep 2025, 6:59 PM

A new biodiversity area was unveiled this week in the centre of the Cappincur Industrial Estate on the Daingean Road in Tullamore.

The project, spearheaded by KMK Metals Recycling with the cooperation of other businesses in the industrial estate, now offers "an oasis of calm amidst wildlife, insects and plants" in an area "otherwise dominated by concrete and tar".

The launch on Wednesday, September 25, was attended by Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr John Leahy; Chairman of Tullamore Tidy Towns, Cllr Shane Murray; Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, Ricky Whelan; Climate Action Coordinator with Offaly County Council, John McNally and mural artist Shane Turner.

Local businesses were represented by KMK Metals Recycling’s Kurt and Max Kyck, Kevin and Deirdre Martin from Tullamore Steel and Eddie Dunne from MJ Dunnes, along with employees from the industrial estate.

Pictured (L to R): Max Kyck, Managing Director of KMK Metals Recycling; Michael Flanagan; Joanne Burke; John McNally, Climate Action Coordinator with Offaly County Council; Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council; Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer, Offaly County Council; Cllr Shane Murray, Chairman, Tullamore Tidy Towns; Kevin and Deirdre Martin from Tullamore Steel; Eddie Dunne from MJ Dunnes, Maree Ryan-O’Brien, Christina Kyck-Murray and Kurt Kyck, CEO of KMK Metals Recycling.

The creation of the biodiversity area was envisioned last year by members of by KMK Metals Recycling's environmental compliance team. An unused and neglected common area in the industrial estate was identified as ideal for repurposing and a plan was mapped out.

Given its central location, it was seen as an area that could act as a "wildlife island" within the industrial estate, helping connect surrounding grassland and hedgerow habitats.

The well-sheltered space still allows in a fair amount of sunlight, especially on the south-facing side and already had a lot of native wildflowers and other herbs growing.

Local businesses in the industrial estate gave their full backing to KMK Metals Recycling to develop the common area, and Tullamore Steel provided works to the value of €400 at the site. Other businesses have pledged to provide gardening tools and equipment and garden furniture.

Work began on the biodiversity area in June of this year, with the introduction of planting boxes made from recycled timber, apple trees, raspberry and strawberry bushes and a variety of pollinator-friendly plants such as lavender, dog daisies, wallflowers, verbena, rosemary and pansies.

All of this was combined with a pond and floating solar pump to create an industrial oasis.

Developments continued over the summer with a team of volunteers maintaining the area and getting plants established. Bollards were put in place to open up access to the local business community and hanging baskets, a 'reflection' bench, mulch and paths were added, with plans in place to introduce a picnic bench in the near future.

KMK Metals Recycling commissioned local artist Shane Turner to create a vibrant mural depicting flowing water, distant mountains, wildflowers, and elegant herons – elements that not only add vibrancy to the space but also create a feeling of being at one with nature within an industrial setting.

After cutting a green ribbon to officially declare the new biodiversity area open, Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, addressed the gathering, saying: "I think what you have done here is absolutely fabulous.

"I know KMK were the drivers of this, but they had the support of all the other businesses in the area. It’s something that could be built on in the future as there are lots of industrial areas that could use a space like this.

"I will finish by saying, a lot of us are talking about the green agenda but very few companies or individuals put it into action and we are seeing real action here today. Huge congratulations to everyone."

The new biodiversity area in the Cappincur Industrial Estate.

Max Kyck, Managing Director of KMK Metals Recycling, said: "We are delighted with how the new biodiversity area has turned out.

"Biodiversity, sustainability and care for the environment are at the heart of our business model, which is why we were keen to develop an area supporting nature, right here in the vicinity of our headquarters.

"We introduced a biodiversity area at our Kilbeggan facility in 2023, which has developed into a busy and diverse refuge for local wildlife.

"It was a big ask for our compliance team to come up with something similar in Tullamore with far less space to work with, but they have really risen to the challenge, and I would like to thank them and all the volunteers from other departments for their efforts."

Eamonn Pidgeon, Compliance Manager with KMK Metals Recycling, said that, in addition to supporting nature and biodiversity, the new area would be a "quiet haven" where those working in the Cappincur Industrial Estate could "go to relax, take some time to themselves with nature, have a coffee and even a chat with some neighbours and colleagues."