Introduction
Heineken’s Meoqui brewery in Chihuahua, one of Mexico’s driest states, stands out as a water-efficient facility within the global Dutch brewing group. The plant consumes 29% less water in beer production compared to the company’s average, which is 2.4 liters of water per liter of beer.
Water Efficiency in Meoqui
Claudia de la Vega, Director of Corporate Affairs at Heineken Mexico, highlighted that the Meoqui facility uses only 1.7 liters of water per liter of beer produced, thanks to a water treatment and reutilization system.
Heineken’s global average is 2.4 liters of water for every liter of beer, while the Meoqui plant uses 0.7 liters less water for the same production.
The excess water is not wasted; instead, it’s recycled within the plant for other processes, minimizing water waste throughout the operation.
Importance of Water Conservation
Emphasizing the critical role of water, Claudia de la Vega stated, “Water is vital for everyone, and it’s essential for a company like Heineken because without it, there is no beer.”
She further added, “Heineken Mexico is a global reference for Heineken in water efficiency during beer production.”
De la Vega acknowledged that all Heineken Group plants have water harvesting and treatment systems, but these efforts are insufficient given the global and Mexican water crisis exacerbated by prolonged droughts over the past five years.
Heineken Water Challenge 2025
Recognizing the importance of innovative water management solutions, Heineken launched the ‘Heineken Water Challenge 2025’ initiative. In collaboration with Fundación Azteca de Grupo Salinas, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, the Dutch Embassy, and Santander, this year’s edition received 110 projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- What makes Heineken’s Meoqui plant water-efficient? The plant uses advanced water treatment and reutilization systems, consuming 29% less water than the global Heineken average for beer production.
- How does Heineken address water scarcity issues? Heineken emphasizes water conservation through efficient processes and initiatives like the ‘Heineken Water Challenge 2025’ to promote innovative water management solutions.
- Why is water conservation crucial for Heineken? Water is vital for beer production, and without it, there would be no beer. Moreover, water scarcity is a global issue exacerbated by prolonged droughts.
