Glenfiddich is finding other uses for its unused Scotch whiskey, rather than selling off leftover, spent grains from the malting process for cattle feed.
Reuters reported Glenfiddich is transforming its delivery trucks to operate on low-emission biogas, and it’s coming from waste products in the whiskey distilling process.
The Scotland-based distillery’s parent company, William Grant & Sons, first developed the technology, and Glenfiddich is implementing it at a distillery in Dufftown.
The process involves converting production waste into an Ultra-Low Carbon Fuel gas. Bacteria break down organic matter to produce biogas in an oxygen-free vessel in a process known as anaerobic digestion.
Glenfiddich says the biogas is used in three trucks made by Iveco that ordinarily run on liquefied natural gas. The trucks transport Glenfiddich spirits from the Dufftown distillery to bottling and packaging facilities.
According to Glenfiddich, biogas decreases carbon dioxide emissions by over 95% compared to diesel. It also said biogas cuts harmful particulates and greenhouse gases up to 99%, and one truck will take the place of approximately 250 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Distillery director at William Grant & Sons Stuart Watts said the entire company could eventually use the technology utilized in Glenfiddich’s trucks. It could also fuel trucks for other companies in the future.
By 2040, the Scottish whiskey industry plans to reach carbon net-zero targets.
