Heineken UK commits £25M for Manchester brewery's decarbonisation

In a robust move supporting its net zero goals by 2030, Heineken UK is directing a significant £25m investment into its Manchester manufacturing site, aiming to substantially curb carbon emissions.

This Manchester facility, a cornerstone in Heineken's production network, annually churns out over 700 million pints of well-regarded brands such as Heineken, Birra Moretti, and Foster's.

The investment's focus is to diminish the plant's gas dependency by integrating advanced heat pumps. Notably, these will operate on electricity derived from renewable sources.

The sophisticated system in place ensures seamless electricity distribution across the site's entirety — from the brewing stage to final packaging.

What's intriguing from a manufacturing standpoint is the cyclical efficiency: waste heat, emanating from the brewing, supplants the thermal energy once produced via fossil fuel combustion.

Boudewijn Haarsma, Heineken UK's Managing Director, articulated, "Sustainability is an operational imperative for businesses with long-term vision.

We're standing on 150 years of legacy, and to ensure another century and a half of production, tangible sustainability measures, like this Manchester initiative, are non-negotiable. Our endgame is crystal clear: achieving net zero across all production avenues by 2030 and pioneering a Net Zero value chain by 2040."

He added, "Our Manchester brewing operations, though only 15 years in our portfolio, stand on a century-old foundation. As Manchester ambitiously targets a net-zero footprint by 2038, we're poised to be proactive contributors to this vision, generously disseminating the insights we accrue."

To mark this substantial commitment, Heineken is launching a promotional campaign featuring 20 eco-conscious football jerseys. TV personalities Kym Marsh and Craig Cash have championed this cause.

Marsh aptly encapsulates the sentiment: "While my allegiance to my team is unwavering, my city's welfare takes precedence. I'm championing Heineken's stride in emission reduction, particularly at this pivotal Manchester facility. In fact, this is one of the rare initiatives I'd willingly exchange my cherished United jersey for."