Pharma firm takes big step on Laois expansion into Portlaoise

Planning process begins for Portlaoise hub.

placeholder image — Planning process begins for Portlaoise hub.

Distribution hub for speciality chemicals and ingredients set for Portlaoise motorway site

A pharmaceutical sector company has begun the process of getting the go-ahead to build a Laois distribution hub for chemicals and ingredients in Portlaoise.

BNL Properties Ltd has notified Laois County Council that it intends to apply for permission for the construction of a storage and distribution warehouse facility and all ancillary site development works at the J17 National Enterprise Park at Togher, just off M7 motorway near Portlaoise.

The business says the proposed development also includes the construction of a two-storey administrative block, accommodating offices, laboratories, reception, and staff welfare areas.

Publication of the notice to proceed with the project follows quickly from the sale of a serviced property by Laois County Council to BNL Sciences, which is part of the international company Caldic.

"BNL Sciences provides custom-made solutions and high-purity speciality chemicals, excipients and biological raw materials to the (bio)pharmaceutical, medical devices and material markets," says Caldic.

County Councillors approved the sale of a 3.71 hectare site in the park for €1.4 million plus VAT to the company in April 2025. BNL Properties shares an address with BNL Sciences in Naas.

The park is already home to a host of other businesses, which purchased similar serviced sites next to the Cork Dublin Limerick motorway. They include Alpha Drives, Kirby Engineering, Midland Steel, Aubren and Leprino Cheese. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Midland Steel is one of the bigger operations in the J17 National Enterprise Park.

BNL Sciences describes their role as providing "custom-made solutions and high purity specialty chemicals, excipients and biological raw materials to the (bio)pharmaceutical, medical devices and material markets".

The Council bought the land to develop the J17 park from Supermac's founder Pat McDonagh for economic development as part of long held local authority strategy to develop lands near the Clonminham Industrial estate for job creation.

Laois County Council produced its vision for the J17 National Enterprise Park in a master plan in 2018.

The plan aimed to set out a detailed vision for the lands at Togher to deliver a viable economic zone focused particularly on heavy, light and ICT industry, distribution, logistics and other uses associated with the transport industry.

BNL Sciences was originally due to buy the site in 2022 for nearly €1 million but withdrew from the purchase.

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey told councillors in April that the BNL purchase showed Laois is in a “growth phase”