Beam Suntory’s journey to net zero whisky production has reached a milestone after trials have achieved direct-fired distillation using only hydrogen gas.
The successful trial, called Project WhiskHy, took place at the Yamazaki distillery’s pilot distillery in Japan, and were funded by the UK government’s Green Distilleries Competition. The distilled spirit will be casked at Glen Garioch distillery in Aberdeenshire later this year and quality assessed as it matures.
The Beam Suntory and Supercritical Solutions trials used 100% hydrogen to directly heat the still and the process means that, rather than using the heat generated by steam coils, it uses a direct flame, making hydrogen a viable fuel source for direct-fired distillation in whisky making, cutting out carbon emissions almost completely.
Project WhiskHy has also meant that Supercritical was also able to advance its proprietary technology, the first ultra-efficient, high pressure electrolyser, which would enable a distillery to produce and store hydrogen on site, powered by local renewable power sources. The development of Supercritical’s electrolyser recently reached a milestone of its own: the establishment of its green hydrogen demonstrator in northeast England, an essential step in the journey to commercial scale deployment.
Alistair Longwell, Head of Distilling and Environment, Beam Suntory, said, “As a company, we are intent on pushing the boundaries of green innovation. We have an ambition to achieve net zero emissions across our entire value chain by 2040, and it is through unique collaborative projects such as WhiskHy that we will get there. We are thrilled to have achieved this new milestone and look forward to continuing our progress with Supercritical as we pursue a more sustainable, resilient future for our industry.”
Katsunori Kurihara, COO of Spirits, Wine Development & Production Division at Suntory Spirits Ltd, said, “Ever since we began whisky making at the Yamazaki Distillery in 1923, we have been striving to craft with a relentless pursuit of perfection and persistent innovation. The whisky business embodies Suntory’s philosophy ‘to inspire the brilliance of life by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature’. To coexist with people and nature, and to aspire to produce Suntory Whisky beloved by all, we will work towards a net zero goal while maintaining the quality craftsmanship of our whiskies.”
Matt Bird, CEO, Supercritical added, “The WhiskHy project at Beam Suntory’s renowned Yamazaki distillery has been a testament to the engineering prowess and dedication to net zero innovation within the group. This landmark trial not only marks a significant stride in hydrogen fuel advancement but also sets the stage for ongoing progress and collaboration. Our partnership with Beam Suntory is poised to remove the premium of green hydrogen, leveraging our cutting-edge technology for a sustainable future.”
Picture: Glen Garioch Distillery