Brewery’s biogas production plant to reduce the burden on the city's wastewater network and increase the company's resource efficiency.
A. Le Coq was founded in 1807, it is the oldest beverage producer in Estonia, whose product range includes 11 different product groups. The largest of these is the product portfolio of beers, followed by juice, water and soft drinks and the other product groups. A. Le Coq holds the leading position on the Estonian drinks market in the categories of beer, juice, and long drinks and ranks a strong second in the production of water, soft drinks and cider.
The company's main resources that can be optimized are water, wastewater, natural gas and electricity. Almost 200 000 m3 of wastewater with the highest price range is directed to city’s sewage network annually. In order to reduce the burden on the urban wastewater network and increase the resource efficiency of the company, it was advised in resource audit to build anaerobic cycle biogas plant. In addition to reducing its environmental impact, the plant is also economically profitable for the company. Some of the natural gas imported to produce heat can be replaced by the biogas produced on site (100% of biogas produced on site is used on site for heating).
Resources needed
2,5 M€ for total investment. Grant 1,1 M€ by Estonian Ministry of Environment’s measure “Resource efficiency of enterprises” from the Structural Funds of EU. Measure supports investments in resource-efficient solutions and resource audit of enterprise - prerequisite for investment aid.
Evidence of success
In addition to reducing wastewater disposal costs and its environmental impact the plant is also economically profitable for the company. Approximately ~230 thousand m3 or 13% of the natural gas imported from Russia to produce heat can be replaced by biogas produced on site (100% of biogas produced on site are used on site for heating) that reduces emissions by 4300 tCO2.
Difficulties encountered
It was challenging to find and select equipment due to very narrow conditions in industry’s property and because of high requirements for odors due to the location next to the residential area.
Potential for learning or transfer
Potential transfer to other breweries and other food industries.
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Tags: Audit, Circular economy, Industry, Renewables
