Arigna Group, a long-established business in County Roscommon, has been a cornerstone of the local economy for over a century. Founded in the late 1870s as a mining company, they have continually evolved to become one of Europe’s leading biochar manufacturers. With support from the Western Development Commission, the company successfully launched Harvest Flame, an innovative renewable solid fuel product now sold across Ireland and the UK.
Innovation at the Heart of Arigna
Innovation has always been central to the company’s identity, consistently adapting to meet the changing societal and environmental needs of the rural community it supports. According to Commercial Director Conor Layden, this forward-thinking approach has been at the heart of the business from day one:
“The company has always been at the forefront of Innovation. Historically, we were a mining company, and we moved from mining into smokeless coal manufacturing. Now, we’ve undergone our latest transition, from a smokeless coal manufacturer into a biochar producer.”
Today the business employs over 50 people directly and supports another 30 through hauliers, suppliers, and contractors, providing vital employment in the area. According to Brendan Layden, Managing Director, this is also central to the company’s mission:
“Arigna Fuels is very important to the local economy. In North Roscommon, on top of a mountain, there’s very little alternatives. So, industrial-scale jobs contributing to the local community we find is a core part of our business.”
Powering the Shift to Renewable Energy
Arigna Group began its journey toward a greener future in 2010, developing Harvest Flame, a renewable solid fuel product made using biochar technology. After nearly eight years of research and development, the product quickly gained traction in Ireland. Conor reflects on the journey, explaining that “the product has been sold for the last seven years on the Irish market, and we’ve developed a large customer base. We now proudly operate the largest biochar facility in Europe,” supplying over 400 retail outlets nationwide.
Securing financing for the company’s green transformation initially proved challenging, says Brendan. The WDC quickly recognised the potential and provided a commercial loan, helping Arigna bring its biochar project to life and expand into new markets.
We approached the Western Development Commission, who immediately got on board with our vision on where we wanted to go, and we were able to secure a commercial loan from them, which allowed us to progress the project to where we are today. Thanks to the Western Development Commission, we are in a position to access new markets.
Brendan Layden
Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future
With support from the Western Investment Fund, the company secured the financing needed to bring its biochar project to market, launching Harvest Flame in the UK in 2024 and expanding into new international markets. In 2025, a €1.2 million commercial partnership with Aldi brought the product to shelves nationwide. Most recently, an €800,000 investment round, led by the Western Development Commission alongside private co-investors, is helping drive the next stage of the company’s green transition and growth.
“This funding allows us to accelerate the rollout of our new product, Harvest Flame, and further develop our biochar range for horticulture, agriculture, and construction applications. It’s a vital step in our ongoing transition from black to green energy. This investment ensures the stability of our existing workforce in the short term and positions us to scale and grow employment in the medium term”
True to form, Brendan, Conor and team are once again looking ahead, with further expansion into Europe and North America planned while remaining commercially rooted in Roscommon. According to Brendan:
“Arigna Fuels’ vision for the future is expansion of our present business out into the UK, Europe, and even as far as North America. We plan to remain firmly based in Arigna, increasing our capacities, increasing our size, and increasing our employment.”
Through strategic investment and collaboration, the WDC has helped a heritage company transform into a green energy leader with international reach, while strengthening the economic fabric of rural Ireland.
