PRESS RELEASE
7 August 2012, Vilnius
Obeliai Distillery owned by Vilniaus degtinė launched the power plant with bioreactors, where the production waste – distillers grains – will be used for the production of heat and electricity, whereof 70 percent is planned for sale. The power plant is planning to become one of the biggest locations for utilizing biodegradable waste in Rokiškis surrounding area. Its opening commemorated the 105th Anniversary of Obeliai Distillery.
“A new power plant will enable the efficient utilization of not only the distillers grain, but also of various other biodegradable production as well as household waste. The problem of recycling thereof in the district is highly relevant, since till now such waste had to be carried to Panevėžys. We have been discussing for quite some time how to change this situation and now finally we found the way out. Moreover, this project will enable contributing to the environmental protection. Some of the heat, required for the distillery, will be produced in the power plant without using liquid fuel, which, when burning, emits carbon dioxide to the environment”, – states Juozas Daunys, General Manager of Vilniaus degtinė.
The capacity of a new cogeneration power plant reaches 1.5 MW. 6 thousand MWh of electric power and 515 MW of thermal energy is planned to be produced therein during a year. Total amount of heat will be used for the needs of the distillery, whereas of the electric power – only one fifth of total amount. The rest will be sold to the operator of electricity distribution networks.
The project, implemented by Vilniaus degtinė, is just the second case in the Lithuanian business practice, when distillers grains are employed for the production of biogas. After modernization of the company, the residual raw materials will be dewatered, thereby making them fit for improvement of the ground structure – fertilization.
“It is symbolic that this year we are commemorating our anniversary and at the same time start a new stage of activities. Now we will be producing energy from waste. We are also pleased that the investment into the power plant enabled creating new workplaces for the local residents and the residents of the neighboring districts”, – states Povilas Stumbrys, Director of Obeliai Distillery.
The principle to keep the distillery warehouse and the workshop, which was built in the beginning of the 20th century and which has been performing the same functions for 105 years now, was complied with where designing a new power plant. Both buildings are included in the Register of Cultural Values of the Republic of Lithuania.
Vilniaus degtinė, the owner of Obeliai Distillery, has managed to retain the position of the only producer of neutral grain alcohol in Lithuania to the present day. This distillery produces the raw material – grain alcohol, which is supplied exclusively for the production of Vilniaus degtinė.
The company employs 35 people and most of them are the residents of Obeliai town. In 2011 approximately 4245 tons of grain was bought from the farmers and agricultural companies of the neighboring districts. Currently 24 000 (90 % alc/vol) liters of alcohol is produced in the distillery per day. It is expected that the production capacity will increase in the future.
About Vilniaus degtinė
AB Vilniaus degtinė is one of the oldest and biggest alcohol companies in Lithuania. It commenced its activities in 1907 with the launch of Obeliai Distillery in Obeliai town, Rokiškis district.
In 1995 Vilniaus degtinė was reorganized into a stock special purpose company. In 2003 over 80 percent of company shares were acquired by the French Concern BELVEDERE S.A. with joint ventures or daughter enterprises in over 25 foreign countries. Currently BELVEDERE S.A. owns 150 globally accepted trademarks of strong drinks.
Vodka constitutes the biggest part of Vilniaus degtinė production. The most popular include “Bajorų”, “Sobieski”, and “Karvedys”. The company also produces bitters and liqueurs. Most of the production is produced from natural components only – nuts, berries, fruits, juices, honey.
Vilniaus degtinė products, which have preserved deep Lithuanian production traditions, have been on numerous occasions awarded for exclusive quality as well as recipes. Vilniaus degtinė production is exported to Latvia, Estonia, Poland, France, Denmark, China, and Spain.
For more information, please, contact:
Darius Šiaudinis
Marketing Manager
Vilniaus degtinė
+370 616 08 039