HEINEKEN Malaysia Wins Two Golds for Responsible Manufacturing and Water Stewardship
HEINEKEN Malaysia secures two Gold recognitions for sustainability efforts spanning its value chain, from responsible manufacturing and water stewardship to packaging and community impact.
From reducing emissions and improving water efficiency at its brewery to restoring rivers and supporting communities, HEINEKEN Malaysia is taking action across its value chain to build a more sustainable and resilient business.
These efforts have earned the brewer two Gold recognitions at the ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025, in the Responsible Manufacturing and Water Management & Efficiency categories.
These recognitions reflect years of investment, innovation and collaboration to continuously improve how we operate, use resources and create long-term value. Our long-term success depends on safeguarding the natural resources and ecosystems that enable our business to thrive, while creating value for the communities around us. From reducing emissions and improving resource efficiency in our brewery to protecting water resources and supporting communities, sustainability is embedded in how we do business every day. It is about continually finding better ways to brew, operate and grow for a future-fit business, aligned with our purpose to Brew the Joy of True Togetherness to Inspire a Better World.
Martijn van Keulen, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia
At its Sungei Way Brewery, HEINEKEN Malaysia has reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions from production by 45% against its 2022 baseline. The brewery operates on 100% renewable electricity through Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s Green Electricity Tariff programme, complemented by 3,500 rooftop solar panels that generate approximately 2,600 MWh of renewable electricity annually.
A RM7 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant is also helping the brewery use resources more efficiently, with biogas generated during wastewater treatment now contributing approximately 4% of its thermal energy requirements.
The company is extending these efforts across its value chain, with 40 key suppliers participating in the UN Global Compact’s ESG Start programme to strengthen their environmental, social and governance capabilities.
Water stewardship remains another key focus. Since 2014, HEINEKEN Malaysia has improved its water efficiency by 36% through investments in modern equipment, water recycle and reuse initiatives, flow meters and process optimisation. In 2025, the company also achieved 221% of its water-balancing target, independently verified by LimnoTech.
Beyond the brewery, through its corporate responsibility arm, SPARK Foundation, HEINEKEN Malaysia has invested more than RM16 million since 2007 in initiatives including river rehabilitation, watershed protection, peatland restoration, rainwater harvesting and alternative water access, helping to strengthen water resilience for communities and ecosystems.
Circularity is another part of the picture. HEINEKEN Malaysia has maintained zero waste to landfill since 2017, with all 35,637 tonnes of production waste in 2025 recycled or upcycled. This includes spent grain from the brewing process, which is collected for reuse rather than sent to landfill.
The company has also worked with a supplier to replace plastic secondary packaging with paper-based alternatives, eliminating 195 tonnes of single-use plastic.
Our sustainability journey is about continuous progress—finding better ways to brew, operate and create value while making a positive impact beyond our business. Across our operations and value chain, our people are taking action to reduce water and energy use, minimise waste and find smarter ways to use resources, while working with communities to protect the natural resources we depend on. Through our ‘Together We Can’ rallying cry under the Brew a Better World 2030 sustainability strategy, we recognise that meaningful progress comes from working together across our value chain. These Gold recognitions are an encouragement to keep raising the bar and creating lasting value for our business, communities and the environment.
Renuka Indrarajah, Corporate Affairs & Legal Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia
To learn more about how HEINEKEN Malaysia is brewing a better world, visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com or explore its latest progress in the 2025 Annual Report.
About HEINEKEN Malaysia Group
HEINEKEN Malaysia Group, comprising Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HMB) and its operating subsidiary, Heineken Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMMSB), is one of Malaysia’s leading brewers and part of Heineken N.V., the world’s pioneering beer company. HMB is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. Its principal shareholder is GAPL Pte Ltd, headquartered in Singapore and wholly owned by Heineken N.V. HMB undertakes the Group’s brewing and manufacturing operations, whilst HMMSB serves as its commercial arm, focusing on the marketing, sales and distribution of the Group’s beverage portfolio nationwide. Together, the Group brews, imports, markets and distributes a broad range of beer, stout, cider, shandy, de-alcoholised alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic malt beverage brands, including:
- The World’s No. 1 international premium beer Heineken®
- The World-acclaimed iconic Asian beer Tiger Beer
- The World’s No. 1 stout Guinness
- The all-time local favourite Anchor Smooth
- The premium wheat beer born in the Alps Edelweiss
- And many more. Visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com for a full overview of its portfolio
Guided by its purpose of Brewing the Joy of True Togetherness to inspire a better world, Heineken’s sharpened EverGreen 2030 strategy delivers balanced growth through three priorities:
- Accelerate Growth by strengthening category growth, driving innovation and elevating consumer and customer centricity.
- Step Up Productivity by driving cost efficiency and generating value for growth.
- Focus Future-Fit by advancing digital transformation, sustainability leadership, and a high-performance, people-driven culture.
The Group advocates responsible consumption through its ‘Enjoy Responsibly’ and ‘When Your Drive, Never Drink’ campaigns, whilst its corporate responsibility initiatives are carried out by SPARK Foundation, focusing on environment and community partnerships.
For more information, visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com.