Leading drinks company invests in renewable energy, water efficiency and ecological restoration. See photos of the presentation of the Decarbonisation Roadmap, which was attended by Pedro Reis, Minister for the Economy.
Super Bock Group, the largest drinks company in Portugal, has announced an investment of more than 80 million euros in its Decarbonisation Roadmap, an ambitious plan that runs from 2022 to 2030 and aims to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. The initiative includes the adoption of renewable energies, efficient water management, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ecological restoration projects.
The investment was announced by the Group's CEO, Rui Lopes Ferreira, on 7 February at a joint ceremony with Greenvolt, which was attended by the Minister for the Economy, Pedro Reis, and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Emídio Sousa. According to Rui Lopes Ferreira, ‘this is a clear and very well-supported investment plan, which continues to show our commitment to sustainability’, stressing the importance of the mitigation hierarchy: avoid, minimise, restore and compensate.
After the arrival of the Minister for the Economy, Pedro Reis, there was a visit to the Casa da Cerveja, where it was possible to see the factory and the beer filling lines, and also to visit the museum which has the entire history of the company, from Companhia União Fabril Portuense to the Super Bock we know today.
On arrival at the plant where the boilers are located, the CEO of the Super Bock Group, Rui Lopes Ferreira, kicked off the ceremony. In his opening speech, he emphasised the brand's intention and commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, promoting ecological restoration and reducing emissions. What today takes 3 litres to produce a beer, the brand expects to use only 2.2 litres in 5 years. The CEO also promised "not to forget to invest in improving working conditions for employees. This is our path to 2030."
Then João Manso Neto, CEO of Greenvolt, took the floor, launching the possibility of jointly ‘creating a programme for Super Bock suppliers’. Later, both signed the Solar Energy and Energy Communities Project partnership between the Super Bock Group and Greenvolt.
On the same occasion, the Patronage Protocol was signed between the Super Bock Group, the Leça River Corridor and the Association of Municipalities, with Alberto Costa, Manuela Álvares, councillor for Matosinhos City Council, and the group's CEO. This was followed by the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Super Bock Group and the ANP | WWF, with the participation of Ângela Morgado, executive director of the ANP, and Rui Lopes Ferreira.
Manuel Violas, Chairman of the Board of Super Bock Group, then spoke, emphasising: "Our commitment is unwavering. To support the country's economic and social development". Finally, Pedro Reis, Minister for the Economy, spoke about the economic state of Europe and Portugal, highlighting Super Bock's management and the commitment of its employees over the years. The mayor ended his speech by emphasising: "If Portugal replicates what we see here, the future is ours! Congratulations."
Energy Communities and Renewable Energies
The Super Bock Group is investing in the installation of five energy production units for self-consumption and energy communities, in partnership with Greenvolt Communities. By 2026, more than 15,000 photovoltaic solar panels will be in operation, with an installed capacity of more than 8,000 MWp, making it possible to avoid the emission of more than 3,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The project will also enable the energy surplus to be shared with more than 1,500 families within a 4 kilometre radius of the production units.
The units covered by this project include the headquarters in Matosinhos (Leça do Balio), the Santarém unit and the natural mineral water production centres in Pedras Salgadas, Castelo de Vide and Ladeira de Envendos.
Recognising that water is an essential resource for its activity, the Super Bock Group aims to optimise its use and reduce waste. The company aims to consume just 2.2 litres of water per litre of beverage produced by 2030, a significant improvement on the more than 10 litres recorded in the 90s. To this end, it has been adopting more efficient technologies and implementing closed-circuit water reuse systems.
The company's environmental commitment also extends to biodiversity, with two major ecological restoration projects in Pedras Salgadas and Leça do Balio. In Pedras Salgadas, an initiative is underway in partnership with ANP|WWF that will expand the Thermal Park's tree cover from 20 to 26.3 hectares, increasing water retention and enabling the sequestration of up to 69 tonnes of CO2 per year. In Leça do Balio, the restoration project at Quinta da Sabina will create microhabitats for biodiversity and protect groundwater, sequestering up to 22 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The company is also working with the Leça River Corridor Association to restore 48 kilometres of the Leça River, reinforcing its commitment to protecting local ecosystems.
Long-term commitment
The Super Bock Group's Decarbonisation Roadmap is aligned with its ‘4 Authentic Tomorrow’ strategy, based on the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) pillars, and its main axes are ‘Less Water’, ‘Less Carbon’, ‘More Responsible Consumption’ and ‘More People and Community’.
The company has also begun the process of submitting to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), with the aim of defining concrete targets for reducing emissions in its value chain. This is an essential step to ensure that the transition to a more circular and sustainable model is a reality.
With this investment, the Super Bock Group is strengthening its position as an example of innovation and environmental responsibility in the industrial sector, contributing to Portugal's energy and climate transition.
The event ended with a joint toast, celebrating Super Bock and its work in favour of the environment over the coming years.
