Investment in heat pumps to reduce energy consumption in the Craiova and Ungheni factories of HEINEKEN Romania
HEINEKEN Romania has completed a major investment in modern technologies in the factories in Craiova and Ungheni (Mureș county), accelerating the transition towards a production with low carbon emissions and optimized energy consumption. The project, carried out together with ENGIE Building Solutions, part of ENGIE Romania, is included in the category of advanced energy efficiency solutions, applied in the Romanian beer industry in 2025.
The objective of the initiative is to reduce energy consumption and increase the efficiency of production processes, by modernizing some equipment and introducing modern high-capacity heat pump systems, designed to exploit the residual heat resulting from industrial processes. The project was implemented in a very short time, of only 9 months, during the year 2025, without affecting the ongoing production. The total value of the investment is approximately 12 million euros, with a part coming from non-reimbursable funds (PNRR).
Improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions
The investment brings a structural change in the way thermal energy is generated and used in the factories in Craiova and Ungheni. The new installations allow the production of hot water used directly in the pasteurization process — one of the most important, but also energy-intensive, steps in beer production. Through this integration, processes become more efficient, more stable and much less dependent on conventional energy sources.
Starting from the energy audit, it is estimated that the solution will generate a reduction of over 40% in total energy consumption, in the specific processes, compared to the reference year 2022, and will be avoided about 3,000 tons of CO₂ annual (Scope 1 and 2, market-based), calculation obtained according to the GHG Protocol methodology, thus contributing to the achievement of HEINEKEN's objective of Net Zero Production.
A strategic investment for new generations of production processes
“This project reflects the way we understand sustainability at HEINEKEN Romania: not as a separate objective, but as a central element of the way we operate our business. By integrating energy recovery technologies directly into production processes, we increase efficiency, reduce environmental impact and strengthen the operational resilience of our factories in the long term”, he stated Boris Miloushev, Managing Director, HEINEKEN Romania.
At HEINEKEN, sustainability is not an isolated function, but a fundamental principle that guides the way the company operates day-to-day, makes decisions and grows as a business. Integrated into the entire operational model through the global strategy Brew a Better World 2030sustainability establishes clear directions and measurable objectives for the Environment, Social and Responsible Consumption, being part of the daily activity of all company functions.
A model of collaboration and innovation in the industry
The project was fully implemented and coordinated by ENGIE Building Solutions, a subsidiary of ENGIE Romania, for all design, engineering, procurement, construction management and commissioning components.
“We are proud to contribute to a decarbonisation project of a reference customer for the Romanian beer industry. Through our expertise in energy efficiency solutions and low environmental impact technologies, we support industrial companies to accelerate their transition to sustainable operations”he stated Adina Susanu, General Manager ENGIE Building Solutions.
Long-term impact and potential for scale-up
The new infrastructure enables the integration of future decarbonisation solutions and facilitates access to new green finance. Through this strategic investment, HEINEKEN Romania moves from incremental optimization to a deep transformation of the production method, oriented towards efficiency, resilience and sustainable competitiveness.
Article supported by HEINEKEN Romania
