Westons Cider has announced details of a £2m investment to enhance its fruit pressing capacity, while using the latest technology to reduce overall energy consumption, as part of the producer’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint.
The investment will see two state-of-the-art cider presses installed at its Herefordshire mill. Running entirely off renewable energy sources, and 20% more efficient than the current on-site presses, the new technology represents a significant step towards the company’s target of reducing its carbon emissions by 46% by 2030.
The installation of the new presses, set to begin in May, will enable Westons to press around 30% more fruit in the coming harvest when compared to the 2022 season.
“This investment will mean we can fulfil increasing demand while protecting the rural environment,” said Giles Goodwin, Production Manager at Westons Cider.
“Not only will we reduce our own on-site emissions, but we’ll be able to support more growers across Herefordshire and the neighbouring counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. What’s more, by expanding our capacity, we’ll be able to take more fruit from established orchards, helping to prevent trees being grubbed up and preserving nature throughout the region.”
The project is the latest measure introduced by Westons to reduce its carbon output. Last year, the company invested in a £3m canning line to improve its recyclable packaging capabilities and reduce the need to transport cider elsewhere.
The cider maker also sends its pomace, left behind during the pressing process, to a local anaerobic digestor where it’s converted into food-grade CO2 used to carbonate its ciders. This removes the need for CO2 to be delivered from further afield and 10,000 road miles from within its supply chain.
