Gas Networks Ireland has facilitated a biomethane pilot programme with the Malting Company of Ireland and Galway-based Ahascragh Distillery, demonstrating how renewable gas can reduce emissions from high-heat industrial processes in Irish whiskey production without requiring changes to existing equipment or infrastructure.

As reported by Gas Networks Ireland, the initiative sees the Malting Company of Ireland using certified biomethane during the kilning phase of barley processing at its Cork facility, the most energy-intensive stage of malting, where grain is dried using heated air at very high temperatures. The resulting malt is then used by Ahascragh Distillery, Ireland's first eco-distillery, in its whiskey production process.

Jennifer Harte, Head of Customer and Communications at Gas Networks Ireland, said: "This initiative demonstrates the important role renewable biomethane gas can play in supporting important Irish industries, like the food and beverage sector, to continue to produce high quality products, while reducing their carbon footprint."

Paul McGillicuddy, CEO of the Malting Company of Ireland, said: "What has been particularly encouraging about this biomethane initiative is that we are able to continue operating using the same process and equipment. It demonstrates the real potential renewable gas has to help industries like ours reduce emissions in a practical way."

Gareth McAllister, Co-Founder of Ahascragh Distillery, said the collaboration helps reduce the Scope 3 emissions associated with the malt used in its distilling process, adding: "It shows the positive impact businesses can achieve when working together."

High-temperature industrial processes such as malting and kilning present particular decarbonisation challenges as they are difficult to electrify, making biomethane a practical lower-carbon alternative deployable within existing gas systems.

Gas Networks Ireland has secured agreements with seven biomethane production plants to connect to the national gas network over the past three years, with additional contracts at an advanced stage of discussion.

Find out how biomethane is reshaping decarbonisation pathways for Irish food and beverage manufacturing in the complete announcement.