Circular brewery: a transformational journey to the circular economy
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2026
Type of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04A - Book part
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Parent work
Innovating Business and Education for Sustainable Development
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Series
Sustainable Business Development
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Volume
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
61-78
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Springer
Place of publication / Event location
Cham
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Abstract
This chapter examines the integration of circular economy principles in the brewing industry, focusing on the transition from linear to circular production and resource-efficient models. Through a literature review and the analysis of different brewing companies, the research analyzes how the brewing industry implements circular practices and to what extent these approaches align with established theoretical principles.Key findings reveal significant potential of revalorizing brewery by-products, transforming these into animal feed, human food, bioactive compounds, or bioenergy. Innovative approaches such as wastewater recycling and biogas production further showcase the industry’s ability to close resource loops. Notable examples include a Swiss brewery, which implements advanced heat recovery systems and utilizes biogas for energy needs.Despite these advances, financial constraints, technical challenges, and regulatory barriers hinder widespread adoption, particularly for small breweries. This chapter underscores untapped opportunities, including Scope 3 emission reductions and enhanced by-product utilization. Achieving a fully circular brewing industry requires long-term investment, stakeholder collaboration, and consumer engagement.
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ISBN
978-3-032-10064-1
978-3-032-10065-8
978-3-032-10065-8
ISSN
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
not peer-reviewed
Open access category
Gold
License
Citation
Bourquard, V., Hirs, I., Janka, A., Rodriguez, M.-A., & Wörner, D. (2026). Circular brewery: a transformational journey to the circular economy. In A. H. Verkuil, U. Milow, A. Hinz, & M. Al-Kilani (Eds.), Innovating Business and Education for Sustainable Development (pp. 61–78). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10065-8_4