Three lines for Heineken Brazil

Krones will supply all of the relevant filling technology: a total of three lines, two for glass bottles and one for cans. Since he wanted to leave nothing to chance and no questions unanswered, Lamas and three of his colleagues visited Krones headquarters in Neutraubling for one week. “We deliberately took plenty of time in order to merge our companies’ teams into a committed task force and to discuss every detail of the project we’d be tackling,” explains Lamas. He is more than satisfied with the negotiations’ result: “We got off to a good start. The path to be followed is now clear for everyone, and the task force can make real progress.”

We deliberately took plenty of time in order to merge our companies’ teams into a committed task force and to discuss every detail of the project we’d be tackling. The path to be followed is now clear for everyone, and the task force can make real progress. Sanção Paulin LamasProject Manager at Heineken

In-depth discussions were needed not least in regard to the ambitious goals Heineken is pursuing with this new project, which must logically enough be met by their vendors, too. Right from the start, the plant was planned as a flagship project and intended to become the most sustainable brewery not only in Brazil but throughout the Heineken Group.

Keeping water consumption to a minimum

Heineken has already long been known for its rigorous sustainability strategy throughout the market. The group stepped up its ambitions even more for the plant in Passos, specifying significantly more stringent goals in regard to resource-efficiency and CO₂ reduction. “To give you an example: We want to reduce water consumption still further, to a level substantially lower than the already small average value achieved in our group,” says Lamas. “In other words: Every single drop of water counts in the relevant processes. That is why we rigorously focus our investments on technologies which proactively support our sustainability thrust.”

The Heineken crew is convinced that these efforts are appreciated by the market. “Sustainability isn’t just a short-lived trend. It’s something that’s here to stay, that’s going to gain ever more in importance,” emphasises Lamas. “These days consumers take much more informed buying decisions. The awareness for sustainable shopping is very huge, especially among young people.”

Sustainability isn’t just a short-lived trend. It’s something that’s here to stay, that’s going to gain ever more in importance. These days consumers take much more informed buying decisions. The awareness for sustainable shopping is very huge, especially among young people. Sanção Paulin LamasProject Manager at Heineken