Budweiser launches sustainable transport scheme with hydrotreated vegetable oil

25-Apr-2022 - Last updated on 25-Apr-2022 at 11:58 GMT

The new initiative will see a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per every kilometre driven.

Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, part of AB InBev, is to reduce CO2 emissions with its new transport scheme at its Magor Brewery.

The brewer has partnered with logistics provider EV Cargo to switch half of the HGV delivery trucks at the Welsh brewery from traditional diesel fuel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), delivering an immediate 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per every kilometre driven compared to diesel. The move is part of the brand’s ongoing sustainability programme and ambition to reach net zero at its UK breweries by 2026.

HVO is a sustainable fuel derived from vegetable and animal oils. Budweiser Brewing Group will conduct an initial transfer of 20 to 25 vehicles to HVO fuel, with the aim of increasing to 50 trucks at its Magor site later this year.

Significant reductions

Mauricio Coindreau, director of procurement & sustainability, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I said: “We are excited to be pioneering the use of HVO at our Magor brewery, which will result in significant reductions in CO2 emissions across our UK operations, highlighting the importance of green logistic initiatives.”

Virginia Alzina, EV Cargo’s chief sustainability officer, said: “As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative and signatory to the UN Global Compact and its sustainable development goals, EV Cargo has supported many key customers in introducing sustainable initiatives to reduce carbon emissions associated with their distribution operations. We are proud to help Budweiser Brewing Group and AB InBev further decarbonise its supply chain as part of the net zero strategy.”

Reduce Carbon emissions

The company already brews every single can, bottle and keg in the UK with 100% renewable electricity from its own wind turbine and two solar farms. The brewer has also removed plastic rings from its entire portfolio and has met its goal of brewing with 100% British-grown barley, reducing carbon emissions and championing local agriculture.

Last year, Budweiser Brewing Group UK & Ireland created 55 new jobs as part of a £115m investment to boost capacity and efficiency at two of its major UK breweries.