‘Blueprint for future green economy’ - Celtic Renewables extends whisky by-product deal with Rosebank Distillery

Green chemical producer Celtic Renewables has renewed its partnership with Rosebank, the Falkirk whisky distillery that forms part of Ian Macleod Distillers, for a further three years.

The partnership will see Rosebank send the pot ale by-product produced during its distilling process to Celtic Renewables’ biorefinery located less than four miles away at Grangemouth.

The latest agreement extends the existing three-year partnership between the companies, during which Celtic Renewables received more than 4,600 tonnes of whisky by-product from the few thousand casks created in the production of the reawakened Rosebank spirit.

Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk was beautifully restored and production commenced in 2023.

Using pot ale extracts value from the whisky by-products and reduces the amount sent to animal feed or anaerobic digestion.

With the pot ale supplied by Rosebank, Celtic Renewables can produce green chemicals that generate carbon savings in the region of 60 per cent when compared to their fossil-based counterparts.

Ian Macleod Distillers’ partnership with Celtic is one part of the company’s wider commitment to sustainability for its entire portfolio of distilleries across Scotland. Other measures include exploring renewable energy with a carbon neutral distillery operation at its Edinburgh Gin distillery and the creation of wetlands at the Glengoyne Distillery estate.

Bettina Brierley, chief commercial officer at Celtic Renewables, said: “Ongoing local partnerships like the one we have with Rosebank are the foundation for Scotland’s low-carbon green economy.

“With over four million tonnes of pot ale and stillage produced in Scotland annually, our efforts in Grangemouth are just the beginning, and the room for growth in the low-carbon industry is huge.

“Our work with Rosebank Distillery showcases the ability of companies to work together in innovative ways at local and regional level for a more sustainable circular way of life - a blueprint for the future green economy.”

Neil Bulloch, distillery manager at Rosebank Distillery, said: “Working with Celtic Renewables to take the pot ale bi-product from Rosebank and create natural bio-chemicals for household use is part of our broader plan to sustainably manage our solid and liquid waste across our distilleries and to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.

“The proximity of Grangemouth to the Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk also reduces the impact of transportation.”