James Loughran joins the Small Firms Associations National Council

The SFA is pleased to welcome James Loughran as the newest addition to our National Council. James is the co-founder and Managing Director of Leinster Environmentals, one of Ireland’s leading plastic recycling companies, and the founder of Loughran Brewing Stores, a specialist supplier of premium brewing ingredients across Ireland and the UK.

Raised in rural Ireland within a family-run agri-business, James developed a deep-rooted appreciation for the natural world and a strong entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. He graduated from University College Dublin in 2004 with a degree in Agricultural Science and immediately went into business with his father, Anthony, founding Leinster Environmentals. Their mission was clear: to address the growing problem of plastic waste by turning it into a renewable resource.

Under James’s leadership, Leinster Environmentals has become a pioneer in manufacturing low-carbon, fully recycled raw materials for the polymer and plastics moulding industries. The company diverts thousands of tonnes of plastic waste from landfill and ocean pollution annually, producing high-value materials for use in automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. Its success is built on a strong supplier network throughout Ireland and the UK, and a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the circular economy.

In 2014, James expanded the family’s agri heritage into the craft brewing sector by founding Loughran Brewing Stores. The business began by supplying locally grown malting barley and has since grown into a major ingredient supplier, sourcing premium hops, malt, and yeast from Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Operating out of a headquarters in Dundalk and a logistics hub in Peterborough, England, Loughran Brewing Stores serves an extensive network of independent and craft brewers.

With over two decades of experience in building and scaling export-led manufacturing and trading businesses, James brings to the SFA Council a practical, hands-on understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Irish SMEs. He is passionate about sustainability, regional development, and fostering entrepreneurship—especially in family businesses and rural enterprises.

James’ addition is an important step towards guaranteeing we have views from different sectors within the Small Business Community.

You can learn more about the other members of our National Council here.