Carlsberg’s Fredericia Brewery water recycling plant nominated for prestigious Global Water Awards

The Carlsberg Group’s Fredericia Brewery in Denmark has just been shortlisted for the prestigious Global Water Awards for its innovative water recycling plant (WRP) as Industrial Project of the Year.

“In Carlsberg we are very proud of the recognition of the world’s most water efficient brewing facility. Water is a basic ingredient in all our products, so water resource management is a high priority. With the new water recycling plant we have halved the water consumption at Fredericia brewery and virtually eliminated water waste. We have a target of zero water waste globally in 2030, and the plant will be a learning platform for our other breweries around the world. This is a big recognition of all partners involved,“ says Peter Haahr Nielsen, Managing Director of Carlsberg Denmark

The WRP project is a part of Carlsberg’s Zero Water Waste ambition, and it has transformed Carlsberg’s Fredericia plant into what is probably the world’s most water and waste efficient brewery. The WRP means a 50% reduction in water consumption which results in just 1.4 litres of water used per litre of beer produced.

Close cooperation between NIRAS and other stakeholders

NIRAS was responsible for end-to-end development of the project, which was a collaboration effort among several stakeholders. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, together with Carlsberg’s quality departments, assured that beverages meet consumer’s safety and product quality requirements.

Technology suppliers include Ultraaqua, that supplied the advanced oxidation process, and Grundfos, which supplied pumps. The Technical University of Denmark was also a valuable collaborator on the project.

“For all parties involved this is sign of recognition of all our combined efforts and skills. This project is a great example of the Danish tradition of cooperation between private companies, educational institutions and the public sector, where the whole becomes bigger than the sum of the parts,” says Søren Nøhr Bak, Water Expertise Director in NIRAS and a driving force on the project.

The winners of the Global Water Awards will be announced in Madrid on May 17, 2022.

Facts about Carlsberg’s new water recycling plant

Carlsberg opened Fredericia Brewery on September 25, 1979. NIRAS was involved in the construction of the brewery through the consultancy company DanBrew that since has become a part of NIRAS.

The new water recycling plant at Carlsberg’s Brewery in Fredericia, Denmark, will reduce the water usage from 2,9 hectoliters to 1,4 hectoliters pr. hectoliter of beverage produced at the brewery.

The plant was inaugurated  on May 6, 2021, by the Danish Prime Minister.