Beer brewer Grolsch another step closer to a CO2 neutral brewery

Despite the pandemic, beer brewer Grolsch has managed to achieve good results in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship in 2021. With the granted permits for Twence's heat supply project, the brewery is one step closer to its goal of becoming a CO2 neutral brewery. But the Enschede brewery also achieved good results in making packaging more sustainable: with the introduction of the sustainable plastic-free TopClip can packaging, Grolsch saves over 100,000 kg of new plastic each year. These and other results can be read in the Annual Sustainable and Responsible Business Review 2021, which the brewer publishes today.

Grolsch's ambition is to be a completely CO2 neutral brewery by 2025: a brewery in which all deployed energy is generated in a sustainable manner. After the necessary permits were issued in 2021, Grolsch and Twence can officially start laying the underground pipeline this year. Twence will be supplying Grolsch with sustainable heat in 2022. This sustainable form of heat supply will reduce Grolsch's CO2 emissions by 72% (5,500 tons) per year. This is roughly equivalent to the emissions of about 1,800 households per year.

Koert van 't Hof, Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Grolsch: 'At Grolsch we continue to work on our sustainable ambition. The past two years have not been easy because of the pandemic, but we have never let go of our ambition to be a sustainable business. I am therefore incredibly proud of the results we achieved in 2021 and look forward to everything that is on the agenda for this year!'  

Highlights 2021
In addition to the introduction of the TopClip tin can packaging and the permits for the sustainable heat supply, Grolsch has achieved a number of other great results in the field of Sustainable & Responsible Business. A few highlights:

•    Grolsch has said goodbye to cardboard carry trays and has completely switched to reusable carry trays made from recycled plastic. By doing so, Grolsch contributes to reducing the amount of waste at festivals, maximizing the use of circular packaging and creating sustainable awareness among festival visitors.

•    The share of recycled tin foil has increased to 74% and 49% of all pallet foil is now made of recycled plastic. Also, a pilot to replace the 'styrofoam' in the export containers with cardboard has started with very promising first results.

•    A pilot with a switch to HVO fuel for 2 pallet trucks has yielded a CO2 reduction of 145 tons and a distance of 381,284 km was covered by water in 2021.

•    Grolsch has introduced a flexible working policy to promote a better work-life balance. Home workstations have been installed at knowledge workers for good ergonomics.

•    Grolsch launched a new Grolsch alcohol-free campaign in 2021. With this television commercial, various online videos and activation, Grolsch brings attention to its full range of 0.0 beers. And 87% of all boarding around the sports fields has been replaced by 0.0%.

Results available online   
Curious about Grolsch's results and activities in the field of sustainable and responsible business in 2021, or about the objectives for 2022? If so, view the online 2021 annual review and explanatory notes on the Royal Grolsch website.

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