Bunnahabhain, has announced that it has accelerated its journey in becoming the first Islay distillery with a net zero emission distillation process.
The news follows the installation of a £6.5m biomass energy
centre, powered entirely by forest biomass sourced only 15 miles away and spent
malt, known as draff which is a by-product of distillation.
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| Bunnahabhain accelerates plans for net zero emission distillation process |
The combination of wood chippings from low value timber felled on Islay and spent malt helps to nurture the island’s forests and promote sustainability and biodiversity as existing conifer forests are replanted with mixed hardwood and softwood.
Some peat bog that is currently planted will also be
restored. Ash from the nutrient rich biomass fuel will then be used as natural
fertiliser for the replanted forest, creating a circular model for
sustainability.
Commenting on the news, Julian Patton, International Supply
Chain Director at Distell International, the owner of Bunnahabhain Distillery,
said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Bunnahabhain distillery and whisky
production on Islay. The Scotch Whisky Association has set a net zero target of
2040 and a lot of work is underway by our team in pursuit of achieving this
goal long before this. The biomass centre makes Bunnahabhain Islay’s first
distillery with a Net Zero distillation process, and we’re extremely proud, not
only of the scale of the project but the entirely locally sourced fuelling
system, which supports the island’s forests and economy.”
The new biomass energy centre will save approximately 3,500
tonnes of carbon per year – a CO2 saving equivalent to the emissions of 1,800
diesel cars, which is more than the total number of vehicles based on Islay.
Posted by Steve Rush