Building resilience in a changing world
Evidence-led innovation for a sector under pressure
The brewing and distilling industry stands at a defining moment. With evolving global demands and rising sustainability expectations, the sector has a unique opportunity to lead with innovation, collaboration, and long-term resilience.
As a trusted partner to the brewing and distilling sector, Heriot-Watt understands that transformation must be practical, commercially viable and rooted in the realities of production.
The sector is operating in a period of unprecedented change. Shifting consumer behaviour, trade volatility, cost pressure, resource constraints, regulatory change and rising climate expectations are reshaping the conditions in which businesses operate. For industry, the challenge is practical: protect quality, brand distinction and commercial performance today, while making confident decisions about the technologies, skills and processes needed for the future. That requires more than ambition. It requires evidence-led innovation, future-ready talent and trusted spaces where businesses can test, adapt and invest with confidence.
UK emissions reduction target by 2030.
The UK has committed to reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030. For brewing, distilling and their supply chains, this strengthens the case for lower-carbon production, resource efficiency and industry-wide innovation.
Source: gov.uk
Our vision for a world-class Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling is to help the sector adapt, compete and invest with confidence at a time of significant change.
The Centre will provide state-of-the-art testbeds and flexible ‘try-before-you-buy’ production spaces where brewers, distillers and supply chain partners can explore lower-carbon processes, circular economy opportunities, resource efficiency and product innovation before committing at commercial scale. CABD will also strengthen the sector’s future talent pipeline, equipping the next generation of industry leaders with the technical, commercial and sustainability skills needed to navigate a more complex operating environment. As a neutral knowledge hub, it will bring together industry, academia, suppliers and policymakers to share insight, test practical solutions and support long-term resilience across the sector.
Workforce pressure, shifting demand, inventory challenges, resource constraints and environmental expectations all point to the same need: practical innovation that protects performance today and strengthens competitiveness for the future.
Talent gap
UK food and drink manufacturing vacancy rates are more than double those seen in wider manufacturing, underlining the need for stronger technical skills, flexible learning and future-ready talent pathways. Source: Food & Drink Federation
Inventory under pressure
A global slowdown in spirits demand has left major producers managing significant ageing stock. For brewing and distilling, resilience now depends on smarter innovation, efficient production and stronger market adaptability.
Source: Financial Times
Water used per litre
Distillery operations can use significant volumes of water per litre of product, making water efficiency, reuse and circular resource management critical to future resilience. Source: NQ DEC/ BIER
"We back Heriot-Watt’s plans for a Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling… helping future-proof this vitally important economic contributor for decades to come."
Ewan Andrew, President Global Supply Chain & Procurement and Chief Sustainability Officer, Diageo
We unite heritage and innovation to protect what makes brewing and distilling distinctive.
We help industry build resilience with the skills, insight and confidence to test, adapt and invest.
We connect talent, research and partnership to create long-term growth and opportunity.
