As part of USD 400 million investment, Jim Beam’s Boston, Kentucky facility will increase capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, the company announced this month. 

The expansion is expected to increase capacity at the Booker Noe distillery by 50 percent, while reducing the distillery’s greenhouse gas emissions by the same percentage, through the use of anaerobic digestors that will produce renewable natural gas to power the facility.

Beam has also entered into an agreement with 3 Rivers Energy Partners to build another facility across the road to convert spent stillage into biogas that will be treated to renewable natural gas standards and piped directly back to the Booker Noe facility. The digestors will also produce a high-quality, low-cost fertiliser, which will be made available to local farmers, thereby supporting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. 

The project is expected to be complete in 2024. When it is finished, the Booker Noe distillery will be 65 percent powered by renewable natural gas, and 35 percent by fossil-based natural gas.

“We are committed to making a difference by investing in cleaner technologies and systems, and the expansion and significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from this project does just that with our biggest brand,” said Albert Baladi, Beam Suntory president and CEO. “This expansion will help ensure we meet future demand for our iconic bourbon in a sustainable way that supports the environment and the local community that has helped build and support Jim Beam.”