Case study: Building Europe’s most modern brewery

Case study: Building Europe’s most modern brewery

Spread out over 71 hectares, Heineken España’s new brewery in Seville, is the most modern and technologically advanced in Europe. It has a production capacity of 450 million litres per year, which is 30 per cent more than the old brewery. More importantly, it uses 30 per cent less water, 25 per cent less electricity and thermal energy than the old brewery to achieve these higher production levels.

“In terms of water consumption and energy efficiency, the benefits of the latest technology have been fantastic,” says Alfonso García, head of environmental affairs at Heineken España. “The new brewery is located 7 km away from Seville within an industrial area. This means our trucks don’t need to drive through the city centre anymore, which was an inconvenience for the local population.”

The new brewery reached full operation in March 2008, marking the end of an ambitious four-year project that saw the transfer of operations from its century-old brewery in Seville to the new plant. The old brewery had become absorbed by the city over time, and was located in a high-density residential area in the centre.

The historic 103-year-old buildings of the old Cruz del Campo brewery have now been listed and refurbished to house Heineken España’s new corporate headquarters. At the same time, the site of the old brewery has become part of one of the most exciting urban regeneration projects in Spain, which will include almost 2,000 new apartments, a commercial and office area, a 5-star hotel and a 9-hectare public park.

“We have preserved the century-old commitment that Heineken España and Cruzcampo have in this area by keeping our production facilities within the municipality and also by giving back to the community,” says Alfonso.