Japanese whisky giant Suntory to help companies manage groundwater better

Japanese beverage giant, Suntory Global Spirits, has launched a new venture help other businesses visualise and manage their groundwater more sustainably.

Called Water Scape, the new groundwater visualisation service will provide 'scientific expertise on water', and plans to help other businesses facing challenges in securing groundwater by providing 'diagnostic and monitoring services for groundwater resources and help formulate action plans'.

The business idea came from Suntory's 'Frontier Dojo' initiative, an organisation-wide innovation program across Japan that challenges employees to develop new businesses.

Growing awareness of water-related challenges

The new development was launched in response to what the company says is a growing awareness of water-related challenges in both Japan and the rest of the world.

Japan has made considerable progress to secure water resources and water infrastructure, with water supply exceeding 98%. However, since 1965, there has been a nationwide trend of less rainfall, and increased droughts in many areas.

Water Scape will assist other organisations by ‘visualising groundwater conditions based on scientific data and evidence from hydrology’. Furthermore, Suntory said it plans to also commercialise technologies developed by its Institute for Water Science.

Regional water revitalisation

Headquartered in Ashiya City with a capital stock of 36 million yen ($252.1k), Water Scape will provide services including:

・Diagnosing, monitoring, and consulting for businesses related to natural resources, such as water resources

・Consulting on regional revitalisation

・Developing and implementing various proposals to governmental agencies and other organisations

・Planning and managing training sessions, seminars, lectures, and workshops, along with related consulting services

・Assisting with academic research, studies, and product development in the field of the natural environment.

Suntory’s progress on water sustainability

Water is a key ingredient in spirit production, not only essential to growing crops but also for the distillation processes.

Similar to other corporations with water positive goals, the organisation set out the goal to replenish more water in its high-risk watersheds, including sites in Mexico, India and Spain, than it uses in its operations by 2040.

In its 2023 sustainability report, Suntory said it reduced its water usage per unit produced by 48%.

On the area of water recycling, the organisation’s Frankfort, Kentucky facility is using a secondary reverse-osmosis membrane system to help recover and treat waste from a primary system. Suntory said this has helped to reduced wastewater flows to the sewer from 28 to 11 gallons per minute.

Other notable developments include the development of a new biodiversity standard that will help to measure the impact of water projects on biodiversity.

No water, no whisky

Suntory’s brands include Yamazaki and Kakubin Japanese whisky, as well as Maker’s Mark bourbon, and single malt Scotch, Laphroaig.

Water plays an important role in the production of whisky. As well as being used to clean and prepare grains to make the whisky, it is also missed with mashed grains to extract sugars that will be fermented to create alcohol.

Another major beverage company, Diageo, announced how it was working with the local community in the region of its Alwar distillery, based in an arid region of Northeast India.