Beam Suntory, has announced a $400 million investment to
expand production at its Jim Beam - Booker Noe Distillery in Kentucky, and the reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions.
This expansion will increase capacity by 50%, while reducing
the distillery’s greenhouse gas emissions by the same percentage, through the
use of anaerobic digestors that will produce renewable natural gas to power the
distillery.
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| Beam Suntory announces $400m distillery investment |
Beam Suntory has entered into an agreement with 3 Rivers Energy Partners to build a facility, which will convert spent stillage into biogas which will be treated to renewable natural gas standards and piped directly back to the Booker Noe facility.
Once the project is completed in 2024, the Booker Noe
distillery will be 65% powered by renewable natural gas, and 35% by
fossil-based natural gas.
Commenting on the news, Albert Baladi, Beam Suntory President
and CEO, said: “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. This expansion will help ensure we meet future demand for our iconic
bourbon in a sustainable way that supports the environment and the local
community that has helped build and support Jim Beam.”
In addition to capacity expansion, the investment includes
land, warehouses and the creation of 51 new local jobs.
Posted by Steve Rush