A Global Source for Collaboration
Connecting expertise and inspiring breakthroughs
At Heriot-Watt, we understand that innovation thrives on collaboration. Transforming the global brewing and distilling sector requires more than groundbreaking technology—it demands the collective intelligence of industry pioneers, academic researchers, and global change-makers working together.
That’s why the CSBD will not operate in isolation. It will be a convening space where global expertise converges, knowledge is exchanged, and sustainable breakthroughs are shared across borders.
Our co-location with key research institutes, strategic partnerships with industry leaders, and international collaborations will create an open innovation ecosystem where ideas flow, insights are shared, and transformative solutions emerge faster.
This collaborative approach will empower brewers, distillers, and supply chain innovators to:
- Accelerate Innovation Pipelines: Test and refine ideas more efficiently with shared expertise.
- De-Risk Sustainability Strategies: Leverage peer insights to validate strategies before full implementation.
- Expand Global Impact: Tackle cross-border challenges with a diverse network of partners.
A Connected Ecosystem for Innovation: Key Collaborations
Case study example: In a groundbreaking collaboration with SWRI, Heriot-Watt researchers explored the use of spent coffee grounds as a sustainable alternative to peat for whisky flavoring. This innovative approach uncovered a new potential solution to reduce environmental strain while preserving the distinct smoky notes prized in peated whisky.
Scottish Whisky Research Institute (SWRI): Co-Located Excellence Driving Sustainability
The Scottish Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) will be a key co-located partner within the CSBD, enhancing both organisations’ capacity for collaborative research in sustainability, product innovation, and quality control.
By sharing facilities and expertise, the CSBD and SWRI will work together on:
- Sustainable Innovation Projects: Joint research into waste valorisation, energy-efficient distillation, and alternative raw materials like spent coffee grounds.
- Industry-Led Knowledge Exchange: Collaborative workshops, joint trials, and shared test environments where both distillers and researchers contribute insights.
- Shared Access to Analytical Tools: From Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for molecular analysis to sensory profiling tools for flavour optimisation.
University of Houston Partnership: A Global Alliance for Sustainability
Our collaboration with the University of Houston exemplifies the power of global partnerships to address shared sustainability challenges. As part of a cross-continental initiative, we are jointly exploring clean energy solutions and supply chain optimisation to directly benefit the brewing and distilling industry.
Key Collaboration Areas:
- Hydrogen Energy Integration: Joint trials on green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for distillation heating processes.
- Carbon Capture Technology: Investigating how modular carbon capture systems can be incorporated into distillery infrastructure.
- Circular Economy in Supply Chains: Co-developing models for waste valorisation and the reuse of organic byproducts.
Case Study example: Within six months of our University of Houston partnership, six seed-funded projects were launched to tackle sustainability challenges in energy use and raw material management. One standout pilot involved simulating how hydrogen-powered distillation could reduce CO₂ emissions in whisky production, with promising early results for both efficiency and carbon reduction.
" Heriot-Watt’s global presence, spanning campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, and the UK, alongside our extensive partnerships with industry and academic leaders, makes us uniquely positioned to deliver a world-class Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling. Our global outlook and collaborative ethos ensure we can connect partners with the right expertise, talent, and resources to drive meaningful change for the brewing and distilling sector globally. "
Professor Dame Heather J. McGregor, Provost and Vice-Principal, Heriot-Watt University Dubai
