Heineken UK in Manchester has cut CO₂ emissions by 42% and experienced a 33% reduction in on-site natural gas consumption following the installation of large-scale heat pump technology.
The company commissioned the heat pump technology, supplied by GEA, back in 2023 and has now recorded the marked impact it has had on the brewery’s processes with heat pump network now fully embedded across the site.
The £28.2 million spend has significantly reducing the brewery’s reliance on natural gas for on site heating and transforming how energy is generated and used.
Through reducing natural gas use, the project is helping to reduce the brewery’s reliance on fossil fuels and strengthen its resilience against energy market volatility.
In Manchester Heineken brew 2.5m pints a day of beers that include Foster’s, Amstel, Red Stripe, Cruzcampo and Heineken.
The heat pump installation formed part of the company’s goal to decarbonising beer production and a wider global ambition to reach Net Zero across the value chain by 2040.
Chris Kerr, supply chain director at Heineken UK said: “Decarbonising a brewery requires a combination of technology and skill, and is a complex challenge facing our industry.
“This project marks a step change in how energy can be generated and used in our Manchester Brewery and has impacted every part of our operations from inception to launch. It has been transformational for one of the largest breweries in the UK.
“Our team at Manchester are truly at the heart of this project and they have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible, adapting day to day while continuing to brew brilliant beer. Their support, drive and ability to continuously optimise the system to our specific requirements is what’s helping us decarbonise brewing while continuing to innovate at our historic brewery.
“We’re confident in the heat pumps’ continued positive performance with the installation already achieving on average 80% of the estimated on site gas reduction.
“This is a blueprint not just for us at Heineken UK, but for the wider brewing and manufacturing sectors, demonstrating how investment in low-carbon technology can deliver both environmental benefits and long-term operational resilience.”
