Adnams

Title: Anaerobic Digestor renewal 

Subject Area: Carbon emissions and supply chain partnerships  

Objectives: To find a long term partner to renew an old, non functioning Anaerobic digester based near the Adnams distribution centre, which could handle some waste from the Adnams brewery and help to provide green gas to the grid    

Project description: The original Anaerobic digester installed near the Adnams Distribution centre was built in 2010, it was experimental in design and was the first built with the intention of generating gas and injecting it direct into the gas network. Although built on Adnams land, the plant was owned and operated by a 3rd party with Adnams suppling waste material to it. Whilst the technology ultimately proved to be commercially inefficient, resulting in its closer is 2017, it proved that the concept worked. So we have been working with Bio Capital to explore the possibility of rebuilding the site with conventional, proven technology and the project has now been signed off and is due to be operational in 2027. It will primarily deal with food waste from households in Suffolk but will once again be able to take waste from Adnams brewery and will be able to supply enough green gas direct to the grid for all of Adnams productions needs.                     

Outcomes: The new plant will dramatically reduce the miles travelled by Adnams waste beer and waste yeast, it will also allow Adnams to purchase all of its gas from the AD site, not just in theory. The gas being produced by the site will be enough to replace all of the gas going into Southwold and so all the gas being used in the Brewery and distillery will be gas generated at the site. Switching to green gas will help reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 50%