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Diageo issues open call for water management innovations

25-Jan-2024 - Last updated on 25-Jan-2024 at 11:34 GMT

Diageo is looking for ways to improve its water management during the drinks making process. Credit: Getty / Monty Rakusen

Global drinks firm Diageo has announced an open innovation call for solutions that can lessen and better manage the water used across its supply chain.

Applications are open until 20 March 2024, after which they will be reviewed by the firm’s sustainable solutions team.

The scheme was created in line with Diageo’s 10-year ESG action plan, which aims to fill the innovation gap the company’s targets were set with. This is the fourth round of challenges that Diageo has issued and there are currently 14 pilots underway across the company from previous challenges on packaging, agriculture and carbon.

This latest innovation challenges aim to address five different points across the company’s supply chain. They will focus on improving water efficiency in Diageo’s own operations and those of its manufacturing suppliers, maximising the value of Diageo’s waste streams, minimising the climate and water risks of the ingredients Diageo sources and uses, improving water efficiency in agricultural operations and improving water use across the hospitality sector.

Applicants from around the world are invited to apply, with Diageo welcoming technology that has been used or trialled by other companies. Diageo brands, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, are sold in 180 countries.

Initiative offers Diageo ‘unique opportunity’

Commenting on the innovation challenge, John Cant, head of Diageo Sustainable Solutions, said that the programme provides the firm with the chance to work alongside innovators and start-ups in a collaborative way that tests new technology within the Diageo supply chain.

Cant continued: “We will give successful innovators the platform to pilot, the investment to scale it if successful at pilot, and throughout the process we’ll support the innovators with our expertise and resources for success.”

“Water is our most important resource at Diageo for our communities, our operations and our products,” added Ewan Andrew, president of global supply and procurement and chief sustainability officer.

“Diageo Sustainable Solutions gives us a unique opportunity to search far and wide externally to connect with fast moving innovators who can challenge our status quo and scale their technology.”

In other news, Co-op is trialling sustainability payments for beef farmers.