DALUM Beverage Equipment are proud to feature in Brewers Journal. The article highlights our friends at Stewart Brewing’s sustainability efforts.
Edinburgh’s Stewart Brewing leads the way in sustainability by transforming a natural byproduct into a valuable asset. The brewery installed two Dalum CO₂ Recovery Plants, which now eliminate the need for external CO₂. As a result, Stewart Brewing recovers over 52 tonnes of CO₂ annually. This not only surpasses their internal demand of 35 tonnes, but also enables them to supply local businesses with excess CO₂.
Rising CO₂ costs, volatile supply, and a strong commitment to the environment inspired Stewart Brewing to act. Consequently, the brewery partnered with Danish manufacturer Dalum Beverage Equipment. Stewart Brewing now operates a fully self-sufficient CO₂ system. In addition, renewable energy from 570 on-site solar panels powers the operation, further reducing environmental impact.
Importantly, Stewart Brewing received support from a £50,000 RSA Grant and invested £150,000 in this project. The system will pay for itself in just three years, offering both environmental and financial benefits. Stewart Brewing uses the recovered CO₂, which reaches 99.99% purity, in all key processes. This not only improves product quality but also lowers emissions.
Ultimately, this story demonstrates that combining innovative technology with strategic thinking allows craft breweries to build a more sustainable and independent future. Therefore, Stewart Brewing’s approach serves as a model for others in the industry.
Stewart Brewing faced rising CO₂ costs and unstable supply chains, especially during the 2021 CO₂ shortage. They wanted a cost-effective, sustainable, and reliable in-house solution that aligned with their environmental values and long-term resilience goals.
They installed two Dalum CO₂ Recovery Plants (15 kg/hr each) in 2022 and in 2023, which allow them to recover CO₂ released during fermentation, purify it, and reuse it for brewing operations like tank purging, packaging, and dispensing.
They recover approximately 52 tonnes of CO₂ annually, exceeding their internal need of ~35 tonnes and achieving full CO₂ self-sufficiency.
About 17 tonnes of excess, sustainably recovered CO₂ is sold to local pubs, bars, and restaurants—creating an additional revenue stream.
Recovering CO₂ avoids releasing 52 tonnes into the atmosphere annually. The system is also powered in part by 570 solar panels, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering the brewery’s carbon footprint.
The total investment was approximately £150,000, including the recovery plants, tank, and supporting systems. Stewart Brewing also received a £50,000 RSA Grant to support the project.
With annual savings of around £26,000, the expected payback period is about three years.
The DALUM system delivers CO₂ at 99.99% purity, making it odourless, tasteless, and suitable for all brewery processes.
Brewery staff initiate recovery during fermentation, monitor the process, and ensure equipment is maintained and clean. The system is modular and flexible, allowing operation of one or both units depending on fermentation volume.
DALUM provided end-to-end support – including installation, troubleshooting, operator training, and assistance with a new cylinder-filling station – ensuring a smooth and successful integration.
