University's vision for £35m brewing and distilling ‘centre for excellence'
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh aims to raise £35 million for a Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling to help the alcohol industry address the climate crisis.
The new centre will function as a living laboratory, made with low-carbon materials and powered by clean energy, embracing green technologies and sustainable practices.
It is hoped the centre will include plug-and-play brewing and distilling testbeds, advanced sustainability research labs, and specialist training programs.
Professor Gillian Murray, deputy principal for business and enterprise, said the university had a long history of brewing and distilling education, dating back to 1903.
Industry leaders from beverage companies Diageo and Carlsberg Britvic said they supported Heriot-Watt's plans, stressing the importance of sustainable processes and talent development for the future of the brewing and distilling industries.
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