Ecolab & Maker's Mark Install Waste-to-Energy System

Maker's Mark's new facility will anaerobically treat the liquid portion of the whole stillage and process waters produced during bourbon-making, generating methane-rich biogas, a renewable energy source, that will offset  165 MMBtu, or 15 - 30%, of the facility’s natural gas consumption.  

“Ecovation is dedicated to working with clients to create focused solutions that are both environmentally sensitive and cost effective,” said Diane Creel, Ecovation's Sr. VP  and general manager. “Together, Ecovation and the Maker’s Mark Distillery have developed a new, sustainable model for whole stillage management involving our proprietary Mobilized Film Technology. Ecovation’s ability to produce this kind of long-term solution is what makes the company different from others.”

In a related story, Simi, a 130-year-old award-winning Sonoma County winery, and Ecovation have opened a new wastewater treatment facility as an ecologically sound method for pretreatment of seasonal wastewater loads from the winery. The new facility will lighten the burden on the publicly-owned city of Healdsburg and Sonoma County treatment facilities by providing flexibility to handle the impact of the winery’s “crush” season.

“Ecovation was able to provide us with the specially tailored solution we need,” said John Pritchard, director of operations at Simi. “Space is a premium at our winery, and this facility meets all our space constraints while providing an easy-to-manage compact solution that provides long-term sustainability for the facility.”