When performance is measured, performance improves

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BIER conducts an annual quantitative and qualitative benchmark study that examines water and energy use in the beverage sector. These studies provide insight into water stewardship practices and energy efficiency performance.

 

Collecting the Data

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To establish the data set, BIER member companies provide facility-specific metrics related to total water and energy usage, beverage production, beverage product mix, facility type and facility location. Results are then normalized, categorized by facility type (bottling, brewery, distillery and winery), and analyzed. The basis for analysis are the water and energy use ratios, which are indicators of how efficiently a facility uses water and energy for beverage production.

 

Work in Progress

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The 2018 study evaluated the performance of nearly 1,600 beverage manufacturing facilities distributed across 6 continents and represented 19 different companies. Over the most recent three year study period, water use ratio decreases were reported by over 66 percent of facilities and energy use ratios decreased for 63 percent of facilities, a clear illustration of the proactive approach that the beverage industry is taking to improve business practices and diminish environmental impacts.