Molson Coors (UK) invests in green

The pride of Cornwall: local consultants contracted

Brewery's waste water to be utilised as biogas

Molson Coors (UK) is investing £1 million at the Sharp’s brewery in Rock to boost the plant’s environmental performance.

The Cornish brewery will work with Truro, Cornwall-based H2OK Water and Energy to increase the brewery’s efficiency and reduce its impact on the environment.

The project will be completed in two phases. First, an anaerobic digestion system, including an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket, will be installed; this will treat waste liquid from the brewery.
 
The second phase will see equipment installed that will turn the waste products into biogas, providing heat and power for the site. The project should reduce the liquid waste sent to the local water treatment plant by 80%.

Emma Bebbington, general manager at the Doom Bar brewer, said: “The anaerobic digestion system is a big step forward in helping us to become one of the most environmentally-friendly breweries in the UK. Being aware of and reducing our environmental impact in the local area, both now in the long term is a huge part of what defines the culture of the Sharp’s, and it ultimately enables us to make great beer efficiently and sustainably.”

H2OK is working with Dutch technology company Nijhuis, which specialises in industrial effluent and anaerobic digestion. The project should be finished by April 2012.

The project is part of Molson Coors’ £5m, three-year investment plan to expand capacity and improve product quality at Sharp’s. The multinational brewer acquired Sharp’s for £20m in February 2011.