Green Brewer

HEINEKEN uses energy for heating and for power, throughout the brewing and packaging process therefore the availability and affordability of fuel is crucial for our business as is the availability of electricity in the bottling and fermentation process.

We aim to use energy in an efficient way and reduce the associated fossil CO₂ emissions in line with international agreements and treaties. The company has developed the concept of the CO₂ neutral brewery that has been implemented in a number of breweries.

The company commits to the reduction of specific thermal energy consumption, the amount of heat needed to produce one hectoliter of beer, soft drinks or cider. The savings are for example driven by the implementation of successful energy-saving measures, such as the re-use of condensate from steam plants at our production site and the minimalisation of steam losses. In addition, significant amounts of fossil fuel are saved through extensive optimisation of steam boilers.

HEINEKEN also strives to lower the specific electricity consumption, the amount of electricity needed to produce one hectoliter of beer, soft drinks or cider. A significant amount of electricity is for instance saved by the installation of a more energy-efficient refrigeration plant and the optimalisation of our cooling plants.

Access to sufficient clean water is vital to our business. HEINEKEN uses water as an ingredient and for cleaning and cooling purposes. We aim to use water in an efficient way without compromising access to water for users of the same source. The used water is returned to the eco-system, in a quality that is suitable for its next use, else it is discharged with a quality that does not harm the eco-system nor its potential next use. The company applies the water-neutrality principle in water-stressed areas.

HEINEKEN runs a common core programme throughout the Supply Chain ‘Aware of Water’. The programme focuses on all aspects of water consumption, management and treatment and requires all breweries and production units to set local targets for water consumption as part of their Operational Plan. These targets must reflect their efforts in the gradual reduction of specific water consumption.

The reduction of water consumption losses is also a key part of our business-wide Total Productive Management (TPM) Programme. Moreover, throughout the Supply Chain, HEINEKEN uses a dedicated knowledge management system that facilitates the exchange of best practices. Each brewery or production facility is required to provide input on relevant, effective solutions to common problems and challenges on a continuous basis. It is our ambition to have all waste-water coming from our breweries cleaned, either by municipal facilities or by our own facilities.

In March 2009 HEINEKEN endorsed the United Nations CEO Water Mandate. This United Nations led initiative encourages companies to play a more active role in solving issues related to water availability and quality. The signing of the CEO Water Mandate by HEINEKEN's CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer re-confirms HEINEKEN’s existing commitment to both sustainability and water management.

HEINEKEN has defined a number of programmes, like the Green Warehouse, the Green Production and the Green Office programme, to meet the set targets. Our objectives for 2012 are:

• The average fossil CO₂ emission: 8.5 kg/hl*
• The specific energy consumption: 155 MJ/hl
• The specific water consumption: 4.3 hl/hl
• A first pilot on water neutrality executed
• An energy efficient brewery designed
• Water Footprint studies performed
• An inventory of energy & water consumption for brewery warehouses and offices, including studies for improving energy & water efficiency

*Target refers to breweries in scope of the Energy Savings Programme