Beam Suntory has announced a $400 million investment in its distillery in Boston, Ky., that will increase its output by 50% while cutting its greenhouse gas emissions in half.
A facility will be built across the street from the distillery that will convert “spent spillage” from the plant into usable biogas and pipe it back into the distillery. When the project is complete in 2024, 65% of the distillery’s gas-fuel needs will be met by the biogas. In addition, the process will yield fertilizer that will be distributed to local farmers. The distillery also will use high-efficiency gas boilers to make maximum use of renewable natural gas, and scrubbing technology to remove carbon dioxide from fermentation tanks.
The gas processing facility will be built by 3 Rivers Energy Partners in partnership with Beam Suntory.
“We are committed to making a difference by investing in cleaner technologies and systems, and the expansion and significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from this project does just that with our biggest brand,” said Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi said in a statement.
