Edible Oil Limited is investing £23.6 million upgrading its Erith factory in Kent. The major investment programme is expected to increase the site’s production capacity by around 50%.Construction work has begun on the project, which will allow the firm to reduce its carbon footprint and introduce new packaging formats across its product range.

The project will include the installation of a new production line and palletising solution, the construction of a fully enclosed warehouse,  and the development of an expanded dry goods warehouse. In addition, a portion of the funds will be used for a new staff car park with ‘extensive’ electric vehicle charging capabilities.

The Erith plant, which currently produces over 100 million litres of cooking oil every year, will remain fully operational over the expected two-year duration of the investment project. The site is said to form ‘the hub’ of EOL’s cooking oil production, and bottles the Crisp ‘n’ Dry, Flora and Mazola Corn Oil brands.

“We are thrilled to be in position to progress with our ambitious plans for our Erith site, which are a major part of our commitment to UK manufacturing and providing long-term, high-quality employment opportunities in the area,” said Kim Matthews, commercial director at EOL.

“We have overcome some significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to reach this point, and we are now ready to deliver state-of-the-art equipment, better energy efficiency and increased production capabilities.”

Edible Oils Limited (EOL) is a joint venture between Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Princes Limited. It is the leading supplier of both branded and customer own brand bottled oils and white fats to both the UK and mainland European markets.