Brewery Grolsch is one step closer to its goal of being CO₂ neutral by 2025.Despite the pandemic - of which the effects were felt clearly, by Grolsch as well - the Enschede-based brewer achieved good results in the field of sustainability and corporate responsibility in 2020. For example, a contract for the supply of heat by Twence was signed, the brewery switched to 100% green electricity, the sustainable TopClip packaging was tested and the brewery saved a total of 172,800 kilos of plastic. These - and other sustainable projects and results - can be found in the online Annual Sustainable & Responsible Business Review 2020, which the brewery is publishing today. 

Royal Grolsch's ambition is to be a fully CO₂-neutral brewery by 2025: a brewery where all the energy used is generated sustainably. In 2020, the brewery has taken a big step towards this ambition by signing a heat supply contract with Twence. The ambition in the area of circular packaging is also considerable: in 2020, no less than 172,800 kilos of virgin plastic material has been saved, and the brewer carried out a successful test with the TopClip cardboard packaging. In the third quarter of 2021, all recycled tin can packaging will be completely replaced by this cardboard packaging.

 

Koert van 't Hof, Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Grolsch: 'It takes a lot of effort and character to continue to take steps in the field of sustainability and corporate responsibility in a year dominated by the pandemic. We are extremely proud of the results we have achieved'. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 crisis, not all of the intended objectives were reached. ‘All events were cancelled, and we also had to deal with challenges in the field of extra safety measures and adjusted rosters. A number of projects were therefore cancelled. We will do our utmost to realise these - and our additional - objectives in 2021', says van 't Hof.

In addition to the pilot project with the TopClip, the signing of the heat supply contract and the switch to 100% green electricity, Grolsch has achieved even more great results in the field of Sustainable & Responsible Business. Here are a few highlights:
 

• As of 2020, Grolsch is allowed to call itself a 'Zero-waste' brewery as 100% of its waste is recycled.

• Among other things, the use of 100% recycled foil for multipacks and the use of 33% thinner material for individual cans on a tray has saved a total of 172,800 kilos of virgin plastic material.

• Three regional projects received a financial contribution from the Grolsch Craftmanship is Mastery Fund. In addition, Grolsch has helped 58 projects through the ‘Pak An’ foundation. 

• In 2020, Grolsch again expanded its portfolio of 0.0% beers. The brewer introduced Radler Minder Zoet 0.0% and Grolsch Herfstbier 0.0%. With these introductions, Grolsch is responding to the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beers in the Netherlands and encourages responsible alcohol consumption.

 

Would you like to know more about Grolsch's objectives, results and activities in the area of sustainable and responsible business in 2020? Take a look at the online annual review 2020 and the accompanying explanatory notes on our website.