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Suntory forges green energy deal in Japan’s Chūbu region
Suntory has partnered with Japan’s Central Hydrogen and Ammonia Association to further green energy use in the Chūbu region.
Suntory, one of Japan’s oldest drinks companies based in Osaka, has signed an agreement to develop hydrogen and ammonia supply chains in Chūbu (central Japan) in a move that could change the future of the region.
In March last year, Suntory participated in the ‘hydrogen utilisation’ study group in Chūbu, and through this group has been involved in the association’s activities.
Known for its Japanese vodka brand Haku vodka, and iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, Suntory plans to integrate green hydrogen, a renewable energy source, into its manufacturing facilities. The move reflects growing efforts across the industry to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into production processes.
The association has a public-private structure and aims to create “demand, storage, and supply” chains for hydrogen and ammonia, both of which are considered ‘next-generation’ energies due to their economic, supply stability, and safety features. The project will initially be rolled out across the Chūbu region, where many manufacturing industries are concentrated.
The venture follows Suntory’s recent enhancements at its Hakushu distillery, which included energy-efficient upgrades such as water conservation measures and solar power integration. The company has set targets to halve its green house gas emissions at its sites by 2030.
Ahead of the curve
Another global spirits brand that is well ahead of the curve in terms of green energy is Belvedere Vodka, which opened a groundbreaking biomass capture facility at its lead distillery in September 2021. Rodney Williams, president and CEO for Belvedere Vodka, told the drinks business exclusively at the time that it intended to feed green energy created at its distillery into the power grid of Polish town Żyrardów, where it is based. It hoped this would happen by 2025.
Producers are also having to increasingly tread carefully when it comes to the claims they make regarding green or ‘clean’ energy.
Earlier this year Budweiser was forced to amend a claim on its website that it uses “100% renewable electricity” in its brewing, following a complaint made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The US beer brand changed the wording to say, instead: “The actual electricity used to brew Budweiser is not from 100% renewable sources…
“But Budweiser ensures that an equivalent amount of energy is generated under green energy agreements to offset the amount of non-renewable energy used from the National Grid to power our brewing processes.”
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