Heineken Invests Over €400 Million in Brazil Brewery With 30% Water Savings

Heineken has inaugurated a new brewery in Passos, located in the southern part of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project involved an investment of more than €400 million, making it one of the company’s largest investments in the region to date. The opening took place this week and marks a significant step in Heineken’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Brazil’s Southeast, a key market for the global brewer.

The new facility is designed to produce Heineken and Amstel beers, both of which are 100% pure malt brands. With an initial production capacity of up to five million hectoliters per year, the brewery aims to bring production closer to major consumer centers in Brazil. This move is expected to improve supply chain efficiency and support the company’s growth in the premium beer segment.

Heineken has emphasized sustainability and advanced technology in the construction and operation of the Passos brewery. The site covers an area equivalent to 150 football fields and operates using renewable energy sources. It also uses sustainable biomass boilers for thermal energy needs. The brewery features advanced water treatment systems, including a reverse osmosis subprocess that allows for water recirculation. According to Heineken, these measures will reduce water usage by up to 30% compared to traditional brewing processes.

The construction phase of the brewery generated significant employment opportunities, with 1,200 direct jobs and 11,000 indirect jobs created during the building period. Currently, the facility employs 350 people, with about 60% of them being local residents from Passos and surrounding areas.

Dolf van den Brink, chairman of the executive board and CEO of Heineken, attended the opening ceremony. He stated that Brazil remains one of the most dynamic beer markets globally and highlighted that this investment demonstrates Heineken’s confidence in Brazil’s growth potential. Van den Brink also noted that the new brewery will help deliver premium quality beers to Brazilian consumers while supporting sustainable business practices.

The launch of this facility comes as other major food and beverage companies are also increasing their investments in Brazil. Recent months have seen similar announcements from companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola FEMSA, reflecting growing interest in expanding operations within South America’s largest economy.

Heineken’s new brewery in Passos is expected to play a central role in meeting rising demand for premium beers in Brazil while setting new standards for sustainability within the industry. The company plans to continue investing in technology and workforce development at the site as it ramps up production over the coming years.