Koskenkorva distillery is a forerunner in the circular economy

Anora’s distillery in the village of Koskenkorva uses about 210 million kilos of Finnish barley a year to produce grain spirit for Anora’s alcoholic beverages. The Koskenkorva distillery operates based on the principles of the bio and circular economy: 100% of the grain is utilised. This brought Anora the Green Company of the Year award in 2018 and we are also included on the Finnish future fund Sitra's list of the most interesting companies in circular economy.

In addition to grain spirit, the Koskenkorva plant produces several byproducts, such as starch and raw material for animal feed. Even the carbon dioxide generated in the fermentation process is collected and used – for example, in greenhouse cultivation. Barley starch is used in the paper and board industries, as well as the food industry and breweries. A versatile product range enables the Koskenkorva plant’s unique material efficiency.

Bioenergy from barley husks

The barley husk that would otherwise not be used in the Koskenkorva plant’s production is incinerated in the plant’s own bioenergy power plant, which supplies steam energy for the distillery. The 10-megawatt bioenergy power plant has been operating at full capacity since January 2015, and it uses barley husk as its primary fuel. Barley husk is peeled in Koskenkorva’s grain spirit and starch production throughout the year. In terms of technology and fuel mix, the Koskenkorva bioenergy power plant is the first of its kind in Finland.

Less carbon dioxide emissions

Thanks to the bioenergy power plant and renewable fuel, the Koskenkorva plant has been able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by about 50% since 2014. The plant’s steam generation fuel self-sufficiency is about 60%. To make the circular economy circle complete, ashes from the bioenergy power plant are used as fertiliser on the fields.