Master distiller Shaun Caleb of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), the makers of El Dorado rum, shared the company’s efforts toward sustainability in a recent interview for The Spirit Business. DDL, based in Guyana, has taken significant strides to ensure long-term environmental responsibility in its rum production.
DDL began its sustainability journey in 1986 by setting up a CO2 purification plant. This plant sequesters CO2 generated during fermentation and purifies it to beverage-grade quality, which is then used for bottling. This was the company’s first major step toward reducing its carbon footprint.
To further its commitment, DDL has been working on establishing a solar farm. The company expanded its distillery in 2010 and installed a wastewater treatment plant. This system converts two-thirds of wastewater into biogas, which powers boilers to produce steam for the distillery. Caleb explained that DDL has now shifted from relying solely on diesel to using a blend of diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG). This transition reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and particulate matter by 4%.
DDL is now taking steps toward becoming solar-powered. Caleb revealed that the company partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank for a feasibility study on developing a three-megawatt solar farm. The farm will power DDL’s operations.
“We are identifying locations for the solar panels,” Caleb explained to The Spirit Business. “Due to alcohol vapors from the angel’s share, a fungus grows around our barrel-aging warehouses, which could reduce the efficiency of the panels. However, in other areas like our beverage production facility, where vapors are less prevalent, solar panels will be more effective.”
DDL is also expanding its CO2 treatment operations. Caleb mentioned that the company is adding two new labs to boost its fermentation capacity, leading to more rum and CO2 production. DDL aims to expand its carbon dioxide treatment facility to meet the increasing demand for carbonated beverages.
To further its sustainability goals, DDL has collaborated with companies from the US and France to improve wastewater treatment. By using specially designed polymers, they have achieved over 90% efficiency in separating liquids from solids.
The process, called flocculation and coagulation, allows DDL to remove a large portion of indigestible solids from the wastewater. These solids are then repurposed, potentially as animal feed or as soil enrichment material, pending final analysis.
Looking ahead, Caleb envisions significant changes in the company’s sustainability efforts. “In the next three years, sustainability at El Dorado will be very different from what it is today,” he said, reflecting on the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental innovation.
Furthermore, The Spirits Business also discussed with Caleb the potential for “redefining” the rum category through cask-strength offerings, indicating that El Dorado’s sustainability journey is just one part of their broader ambitions in the rum industry.
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El Dorado scales up sustainable measures by Rupert Hohwieler
The article image is courtesy of Fahroni on Canva.
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