How can we decarbonise the distillery sector using hydrogen? 

As the push for renewable energies surges on, a concerning eye is placed on the distillery sector and how it can contribute to both sustainability and decarbonisation goals.  

One of these industries is the alcoholic beverage sector and in particular the distillery processes that carry them, which have long relied on carbon-emitting fossil fuels. 

Through its clean energy source, hydrogen can be used to decarbonise these energy-heavy sectors via its ability to produce net-zero emissions.

However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen has proved difficult for many across the industry due to its barriers such as high costs, safety applications and unstable supply. 

Although recognised as a “hard to treat” sector in terms of emission reduction, Hydrogen Industry Leaders spoke to companies like Supercritical Solutions who have invested in hydrogen technology to boost the distillery’s sustainability output whilst aiming to overcome the barriers. 

“Hydrogen can be used in a spirit still process while still achieving equivalent quality” – Luke Tan, Co Founder Supercritical Solutions

The potential remains high across the sector, with distilleries having the capacity to reduce their emissions by half a million tonnes every year.  

Based on a report from the International Journal of Green Energy, the UK is leading in the European countries ranking of emissions produced by the spirit industry. This may come as no surprise, as the whisky industry represents the largest food and drink export sector in the region. 

Using hydrogen to boost sustainability while achieving “equivalent quality”  

UK-based hydrogen technology company Supercritical Solutions are developing its electrolyser technology for large-scale hydrogen distillery use enabling the industry to lessen its reliance on non-renewable fuels. 

Through Supercritical’s partnership with Suntory Global Spirits, a leader in the global beverage sector, they were able to demonstrate that “hydrogen can be used in a spirit still process while still achieving equivalent quality”. 

Supercritical partnered with Suntory on a 100% hydrogen-fuelled whisky trial at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Japan proving its possible to replicate processes previously only used by fossil fuels such as natural gas in order to create a net-zero distilling process. 

The world’s first hydrogen direct-fired whisky casked at Glen Garioch. Credit: Suntory Global Spirits

Speaking to Luke Tan, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Supercritical we gained an insight into a partnership which aligned with their aims of “decarbonising the hardest-to-abate sectors with hydrogen”. 

The two-part collaboration not only proved that hydrogen could produce spirits of equivalent quality to those made with traditional fossil fuel-based methods, but allowed Supercritical to take its technology “out of the lab for the first time”.  

The project further resulted in the design and construction of a dedicated hydrogen production facility in Teesside, allowing the electrolyser developer to expand the “scalability of its technology”.

Tan highlighted how the company’s aim is to make hydrogen “cost competitive with fossil fuels” while finding the applications where the transfer to hydrogen would be the “right choice”.  

Reflecting on the evolution of the whiskey sector, Tan draws parallels between the transition from coal to other fossil fuels stating that “hydrogen is just the next step”.  

Embracing these future developments, Supercritical received £3 million in Phase 2 funding from the UK government’s Green Distilleries Competition supporting them to advance their hydrogen solutions for the sector. 

Battling the cost factor 

As stated by ARUP, current estimates of blue hydrogen is twice the price of natural gas, while green hydrogen is five times the price after long-distance shipping. So when it comes to full adaptation of hydrogen in industries, cost remains a significant factor.  

“When we’re talking to whisky operators, the main reason for not adopting hydrogen as an alternative is the cost implications,” Tan admits.  

Emphasising the importance of making hydrogen cost-competitive, Tan added how “the benefit that Supercritical can bring is helping them reduce that cost of hydrogen, getting close to cost parity with fossil fuels” rendering it a “no-brainer”. 

In Scotland where the Scotch Whisky industry brought £7.1bn to the UK economy in 2022 while supporting around 70,000 jobs across the region, we can understand the value that the liquor brings to the market.  

Collaboration may be key for success 

In a statement to Hydrogen Industry Leaders, Ruth Piggin, Director of Industry Sustainability at the Scotch Whisky Association highlighted the organisations responsibility to address the climate crisis in all areas where its production and distribution “have an impact”. 

Piggin stated that in order to achieve decarbonisation goals, “each distillery must assess the most suitable efficiency and reduction solutions tailored to their specific needs “whether that be biogas, electrification, hydrogen or something else”. 

However, “common barriers” resist added Piggin, particularly regarding the accessibility of zero-emission fuels like green hydrogen and the necessary energy infrastructure.  

Despite these challenges, collaboration remains a cornerstone of the industry’s strategy. “Through knowledge sharing and collaboration with supply chain partners, researchers and regulators, we are working together to drive our full emission profile down as far and fast as possible, aiming to achieve net zero emissions across all scopes by 2045,” Piggin adds. 

Can hydrogen offer a sustainable solution? 

Hydrogen presents a promising solution for decarbonising the distillery sector, offering a pathway to reducing emissions without compromising product quality.  

Yet, widespread adoption faces challenges, including high costs, infrastructure limitations, and safety concerns. Overcoming these barriers will require continued innovation, strategic collaborations, and supportive policy frameworks. 

The potential impact on the industry is substantial, especially as global demand for spirits continues to grow.

According to the International Wine and Spirits Record (ISWR), “India, China, and the US are expected to add $30 billion in incremental value by 2028.” This surge in demand underscores the urgency for sustainable practices and positions hydrogen as a pivotal player in achieving net-zero emissions across the sector. 

As collaboration and technological advancements continue, the vision of a carbon-neutral distillery sector moves closer to reality.

By embracing hydrogen and other renewable solutions, the distillery industry can lead the way in sustainable production, ensuring that economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.