Suntory scraps hydrogen distillery plan
Suntory Global Spirits has discontinued plans to build a £60 million green hydrogen site at the Auchentoshan Distillery in Scotland after government funding was denied. The post Suntory scraps hydrogen distillery plan appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Suntory Global Spirits has discontinued plans to build a £60 million green hydrogen site at the Auchentoshan Distillery in Scotland after government funding was denied.
Suntory Global Spirits and partner Marubeni, a Japanese trading company, first announced plans to build a hydrogen plant to decarbonise whisky production in August 2024.
The plant was due to become part of Suntory's Auchentoshan Distillery, a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Dalmuir, Scotland.
Suntory's plans to build the hydrogen plant followed the company's announcement in April 2024 that it had succeeded in the first direct-fired distillation trial using 100% hydrogen. The distillation, undertaken at its Yamazaki Distillery in Japan, was part of its WhiskHy project to carry out feasibility studies for green hydrogen-based decarbonisation technology at Beam Suntory-owned distilleries. The project was funded by the UK government’s Green Distilleries Competition.
Suntory and partner Marubeni applied for Government funding for the HyClyde Auchentoshan project in April 2024.
However, the plans received backlash from locals who feared that the instability of hydrogen could impact the health of people in the community and devalue their properties.
One resident, who spoke to the Clydebank Post, said: "It’s an unproven technique. They keep saying it's cutting edge, and all I hear is experimental. Hydrogen is highly explosive, think of the Hindenberg disaster."
The HyClyde Auchentoshan website has now published a statement announcing that the hydrogen project has been scrapped.
"Unfortunately, HyClyde Auchentoshan was unsuccessful in its application to secure HAR2 funding, and as a result, the project will be discontinued," the statement read.
It continued: "Whilst Suntory Global Spirits and Marubeni are disappointed in this outcome, we would like to thank our local community again for their input and feedback during our community consultation events, as well as members of the Community Councils and West Dunbartonshire Council.
"Looking to the future, Suntory Global Spirits remains firmly committed to its Proof Positive ambitions, including its aim to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions throughout its value chain by 2040, and Marubeni is exploring the opportunity to contribute to the decarbonisation of local industry and transport, supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions and fostering innovation in renewable energy."
The hydrogen plant was due to create 130 jobs through the construction process, set to take place between 2025 and 2027.
db has reached out to Suntory Global Spirits for comment.
Suntory Global Spirits and partner Marubeni, a Japanese trading company, first announced plans to build a hydrogen plant to decarbonise whisky production in August 2024.
The plant was due to become part of Suntory's Auchentoshan Distillery, a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Dalmuir, Scotland.
Suntory's plans to build the hydrogen plant followed the company's announcement in April 2024 that it had succeeded in the first direct-fired distillation trial using 100% hydrogen. The distillation, undertaken at its Yamazaki Distillery in Japan, was part of its WhiskHy project to carry out feasibility studies for green hydrogen-based decarbonisation technology at Beam Suntory-owned distilleries. The project was funded by the UK government’s Green Distilleries Competition.
Suntory and partner Marubeni applied for Government funding for the HyClyde Auchentoshan project in April 2024.
However, the plans received backlash from locals who feared that the instability of hydrogen could impact the health of people in the community and devalue their properties.
One resident, who spoke to the Clydebank Post, said: "It’s an unproven technique. They keep saying it's cutting edge, and all I hear is experimental. Hydrogen is highly explosive, think of the Hindenberg disaster."
The HyClyde Auchentoshan website has now published a statement announcing that the hydrogen project has been scrapped.
"Unfortunately, HyClyde Auchentoshan was unsuccessful in its application to secure HAR2 funding, and as a result, the project will be discontinued," the statement read.
It continued: "Whilst Suntory Global Spirits and Marubeni are disappointed in this outcome, we would like to thank our local community again for their input and feedback during our community consultation events, as well as members of the Community Councils and West Dunbartonshire Council.
"Looking to the future, Suntory Global Spirits remains firmly committed to its Proof Positive ambitions, including its aim to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions throughout its value chain by 2040, and Marubeni is exploring the opportunity to contribute to the decarbonisation of local industry and transport, supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions and fostering innovation in renewable energy."
The hydrogen plant was due to create 130 jobs through the construction process, set to take place between 2025 and 2027.
db has reached out to Suntory Global Spirits for comment. 
