NET ZERO HYDROGEN WHISKY DISTILLING

 GREEN DISTILLATION
Beam Suntory and Supercritical LEAD THE WAY 

In 2021, the WhiskHy project received green innovation project funding from the UK government to carry out feasibility studies for green hydrogen-based decarbonization technology at Beam Suntory-owned distilleries. The funding was awarded through the Green Distilleries competition, which forms part of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s ‘Net Zero Innovation Portfolio’, with the project having made considerable advancements towards zero emission distilling at an industrial scale.

WHAT IS GREEN DISTILLING IN THE WORLD OF SCOTCH?

Whisky has been produced in Scotland for centuries. But with the Scottish Government setting ambitious net zero emissions targets, production methods are evolving for whisky. New projects to decarbonise the industry powered by green hydrogen are gaining traction and offer an exciting future for this historic industry.

Scotland's whisky industry is worth £6.2 billion to the Scottish economy a year. It accounts for more than 25% of the UK’s total food and drink exports. However, production on this scale also requires huge amounts of energy. Scotland’s 148 distilleries consume around 3.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy every year.

 While the Scottish Government aims to reach net zero by 2045, the whisky industry seeks to get there five years earlier. To decarbonise by 2040, distilleries must harness zero-emission energy sources. A key solution in this transition will be hydrogen.

 The UK Government has acknowledged the importance of the whisky industry and its switch to clean energy by funding several notable hydrogen projects. Such funding is vital considering the high expense involved with developing this new energy source. Crucially, costs are expected to fall as demand grows.

Clean hydrogen technology could enable the reintroduction of more traditional processes in whisky production. Direct firing boils the whisky to temperatures as high as 1,000°C. However, this process has been abandoned by many distilleries due to the high carbon impact. Nevertheless, using such intense heat results in increased chemical reactions in the liquid, deepening the flavour profile of the finished whisky.

It is believed that achieving these intense temperatures with hydrogen for direct firing processes would improve the taste of whisky. In fact, hydrogen can burn even hotter than the methane traditionally used in the distilling process. Japan’s Beam Suntory expects that achieving higher temperatures in direct firing will further enhance the rich character of its whiskies.

The achievement made at the Yamazaki distillery’s pilot distillery in Japan, marks positive progress for the ‘WhiskHy’ project, funded by UK government’s Green Distilleries Competition. Beam Suntory and Supercritical Solutions Ltd (Supercritical) are celebrating a milestone moment for the WhiskHy project as trials prove that hydrogen is a viable fuel source for direct-fired distillation. The successful trial is a world-first achievement in hydrogen distilling for whisky production.

As part of its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, Beam Suntory says it is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2040 and pursuing innovative green technology across its global distilleries to do so. This ambition provided a unique opportunity to partner with Suntory’s Yamazaki team in Japan to carry out the trial at its pilot distillery, which is specifically designed to carry out the innovative research and development.

The successful trial used 100% hydrogen to directly heat the still. A part of the distilled spirit will be casked in Scotland at the Glen Garioch distillery, where it will be quality assessed as it matures. The Glen Garioch distillery recently underwent a £6 million renovation project to reinstate traditional malting floors and a direct-fired still.

‘Direct-firing’ is regarded as a traditional method of distilling, by which a direct flame is used rather than indirect heating by steam coils. This process is key to the WhiskHy project, as it offers the potential to cut carbon emissions by up to 100% if using green hydrogen, thus rendering the process net-zero. Through associated maillard reactions, direct-firing can also enhance spirit quality and depth of character, as evidenced at the Glen Garioch distillery.

As part of Project WhiskHy, Supercritical has advanced its proprietary technology, the first ever ultra-efficient, high pressure electrolyser, which would enable a distillery to produce and store hydrogen on site, powered by local renewable power sources. The development of Supercritical’s electrolyser recently reached a milestone of its own: the establishment of its green hydrogen demonstrator in northeast England, an essential step in the journey to commercial scale deployment.

The WhiskHy project at Beam Suntory’s renowned Yamazaki distillery has been a testament to the engineering prowess and dedication to net zero innovation within the group. This landmark trial not only marks a significant stride in hydrogen fuel advancement but also sets the stage for ongoing progress and collaboration. Their partnership is poised to remove the premium of green hydrogen, leveraging our cutting-edge technology for a sustainable future.”

Beam Suntory is intent on pushing the boundaries of green innovation, with an ambition to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, and it is through unique collaborative projects such as WhiskHy that they will get there. Thrilled at this new milestone, they look forward to continuing progress with Supercritical in the pursuit of a more sustainable, resilient future for the industry.

The exciting technologies have the potential to kickstart a new clean green whisky industry. The UK has backed the project with £2.9 million in government support, helping businesses seize the opportunities of hydrogen and cut their emissions on the journey to net zero. As for Suntory Spirits Ltd, they have been striving since 1923 to craft such a possibility with a relentless pursuit of perfection and persistent innovation. The whisky business embodies Suntory’s philosophy ‘to inspire the brilliance of life by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature, to coexist with people and to aspire to produce Suntory Whisky with a net zero goal while maintaining the quality craftsmanship of their whiskies.

BEAM SUNTORY ANNOUNCES REBRAND 
TO SUNTORY GLOBAL SPIRITS

Beam Suntory has announced that it is rebranding to become Suntory Global Spirits. The company says this reflects its evolution into a truly global leader across categories in spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails.

The new name is introduced as the company marks 10 years of sustained, profitable growth since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. in 2014. The company has grown significantly over this time period – from a US$2.5bn company to US$5.5 bn today – and its team has also expanded, now comprised of more than 6,000 employees worldwide.

The rebrand includes the launch of a new website and visual identity that celebrate Suntory Global Spirits’ focus on quality, craftsmanship and sustainability – defining brand attributes connected to and complemented by those of its parent company, Suntory Holdings.

Suntory Global Spirits demonstrates global leadership and premium position in the market, while enabling them to build upon the strong and positive brand recognition that Suntory has worldwide. The dedication that Suntory and Suntory Holdings Management have shown to advancing our culture and business growth – while also preserving the legacy of craftsmanship and interplay of traditions exemplified in brands from Jim Beam to Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark to Yamazaki – is extraordinary. Becoming Suntory Global Spirits is the natural next step in their evolution.

Now is the right moment to deepen the shared passion for the innovation and artistry that deliver incredible experiences through their products and fully unlock their unified advantage across our leading spirits portfolio. Since the acquisition of Beam Inc. in 2014, the company has gone through an incredible transformation to become an even stronger organisation, led by our shared values of Yatte Minahare, Growing for Good and Giving Back to Society.

The company’s new brand platform showcases the art of crafting the highest quality products with attention to and respect for the water and natural ingredients that are vital across its iconic spirits portfolio.

The rebrand is expected to help the company drive value as one global team and focus on key priorities including Scotch whisky,American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Tequila and ready-to-drink, while providing flexibility for growth in the future.

EXAMPLES OF THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY IN ACTION

Other projects exploring the potential of hydrogen are emerging across Scotland. South of Aberdeen, the Arbikie Distillery’s hydrogen energy system aims to change its production methods. The distillery has added a 1 Megawatt wind turbine to supply renewable energy to an electrolyser that will produce hydrogen from wastewater. The project has secured funding for phases one and two from the UK Government. It will be led by Scottish companies Locogen and Logan Energy.

Meanwhile, on the Isle of Islay off Scotland’s West coast, the Bruichladdich Distillery project HyLaddie has also secured UK Government funding. Using grid electricity, the distillery aims to power electrolysis to produce hydrogen for a specially equipped boiler.

Even the most remote parts of Scotland are exploring the possibilities of this new technology. Green hydrogen is already powering several buildings in Orkney. The HySpirits 2 project will apply dual fuel technology to the Islands’ whisky industry. The European Marine Energy Centre, Edinburgh Napier University, spirits producer Edrington, and Orkney Distilling are partnering to develop a dual-fuel steam boiler. This solution will provide flexibility in energy sources while hydrogen production scales up.

INDUSTRIAL DEMAND FOR HYDROGEN IN SCOTLAND

Scottish business Cochran Boilers is preparing to meet the increasing demand for hydrogen energy. The company is developing a hydrogen-ready boiler to match the capabilities of the fossil fuel boilers it has supplied to distilleries.

Businesses such as these will be essential to the future of hydrogen as demand grows. Currently, a major obstacle to the mass deployment of hydrogen energy is high operating costs. But as demand rises, costs should fall. Many distilleries have chosen to produce hydrogen from renewables on site, for example using wastewater, which drives down operating expenses.

Another potential revenue stream is through the sale of biogenic CO2, a potential byproduct of the hydrogen process. Demand for biogenic CO2 is rising, as it can be used as feedstock in the production of alternative fuels for heavy transportation.

In addition, Scottish Enterprise is supporting the development of 13 low-carbon or renewable hydrogen hubs across Scotland. These hubs will allow distilleries unable to produce hydrogen energy on-site to access reliable supplies. New partnerships are already emerging, such as that between the Cromarty Hydrogen Project and distilleries in Cromarty Firth. It is hoped that the Cromarty project will have a daily green hydrogen production capacity of 20 tonnes by 2025.

Feasibility studies have also demonstrated how hydrogen energy hubs could power other industries in the Cromarty area. Industrial uses include local food production, manufacturing, and industrial heating. As clean hydrogen production grows, whisky won’t be the only Scottish product to go green.