TOMATIN AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Tomatin Distillery has been awarded The Scottish Environment Protection Agency Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability award at the SCDI Highlands & Islands Annual Dinner & Business Excellence Awards. This prestigious event was held on Friday 13th September at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.

Having operated for over 125 years Tomatin Distillery is leading the way in efforts to reduce its carbon output by installing an environmentally efficient wood pellet fuelled steam boiler to be used in their production process.

They are the first distillery in Scotland to install a biomass steam solution of this type from Balcas, which will be fuelled by locally produced brites wood pellets. And were the first recipient in Scotland of funding from the Green Investment Bank.

This move will not just result in a reduced carbon output but will bring with it a financial benefit and help to safeguard them against the threat caused by volatility in the oil markets.

Commenting on their success Tomatin Distillery Chief Executive, Robert Anderson said: “We are delighted that Tomatin’s move to reduce its environmental impact is being recognised in this way. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of non‐fossil fuel are the cornerstones of the Scotch Whisky industry’s efforts to make manufacturing more sustainable and support a low carbon economy.

“Tomatin is the first whisky distillery to install a biomass boiler and its installation will not only help shield us from volatile oil prices, but will support job at the local wood pellet manufacturer Balcas in Invergordon.”

Neil Holland, Sales & Marketing Director, Balcas brites commented “This is a great achievement for Tomatin and one which is well deserved. We are delighted to be working with them on providing this fully integrated and unique heat solution, which despite the challenges was implemented within 8 months. We look forward to seeing more industrial manufacturers follow in their footsteps.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Head of Operations, Andy Rosie added: “The investment made by Tomatin Distillery to seek a more sustainable means of production illustrates not only great initiative, but also sound business sense and we hope that it serves as a positive example for other industry sectors to follow.

“More importantly, it demonstrates a clear conscience of the impact of burning fossil fuels and the potential that biomass technology has to create long term benefits for both businesses and the environment – benefits that can already be seen through the Distillery’s reduction in carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

“Tomatin Distillery’s commitment to environmental management is clearly evident here, and represents an important contribution in support of the Distillers strategic environmental objectives led by the Scotch Whisky Association”.

“SEPA is delighted to be giving this award in recognition of the recent initiative taken by Tomatin Distillery and wish them every success in the future.”