Wednesday 15 March 2023

Budweiser backs hydrogen beer

Budweiser has joined forces with green hydrogen company Protium to decarbonise its brewery in Lancashire.

The use of hydrogen at Samlesbury Brewery will reduce the carbon emissions of the site by 11,000 tonnes per year, Budweiser has said.

In addition to using the green gas to power operations, the companies have aspirations to also integrate hydrogen-powered vehicles at the facility and slash transport emissions.

Hydrogen-ready boilers would cover the thermal demand of the brewing process – removing the need for natural gas.

The change in fuel will have the same environmental impact as planting 440,000 trees, the partners claim.

Lancashire County Council has committed to net zero by 2030 – and with Samlesbury representing the largest brewery in the county, it will contribute towards this aim.

A planning application is set to be submitted soon, with hopes for the site to be operational by 2025.

Luiz Brandao from Budweiser said: “Innovative solutions like hydrogen have huge potential for reducing our carbon footprint in the UK and moving us towards our ambitious sustainability goals.”

Protium’s CEO Chris Jackson added: “Green hydrogen is the hugely exciting next step in global energy transition, happening right here in Lancashire, to drive down these emissions and futureproof our vital industries. This is a great opportunity for Samlesbury, South Ribble and Lancashire to take a lead in tackling the climate challenges facing us all.”