The Water Story at Suntory Beverage & Food Europe

Our commitment to water stewardship

Water is at the heart of everything we do. As a business that relies on this essential resource to produce our beverages, we are committed to using it responsibly, sourcing it sustainably and protecting it for future generations.

Since its founding, Suntory has prioritised the protection of water resources, taking a long-term approach to conservation through scientific research, watershed restoration and education programmes. Globally, Suntory aims to become net water positive by 2050, ensuring a sustainable water cycle in the regions where it operates. The company has been recognised for its leadership in water sustainability, being listed on the CDP Water Security A List for nine consecutive years and achieving Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification at several of its factories.

At Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (SBFE), we bring this vision to life through our Reduce, Protect and Educate framework, a structured three-pillar approach to minimizing water use, restoring ecosystems, and educating communities on water sustainability.

Our Three-Pillar Approach

Reduce: Driving efficiency in our operations

Water is a key ingredient in our drinks, making it a critical resource in our business. We take our responsibility seriously by ensuring that we use water as efficiently as possible, reducing consumption while maintaining the highest standards of quality and production efficiency.

We have set a target to reduce water intensity in our owned factories by 20% by 2030 and we are well on our way, having already achieved a 16% reduction through targeted improvements in technology, process optimisation, and sustainable practices.

Our approach includes:

• Tailored water reduction plans for each factory, ensuring targeted improvements.
• Investments in advanced technology, such as osmosis systems, UV disinfection, and metering systems to enhance efficiency whilst maintaining quality standards.
• Optimised cleaning processes, including Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems and replacing water rinsers with air rinsers, significantly cutting down water usage.

Protect: Restoring and preserving water ecosystems

Beyond reducing our own water use, we actively invest in conservation initiatives that restore and protect natural water ecosystems.

Key projects include:

• Guardianes del Tajo (Spain): Guardians of the Tagus is a Natural Water Sanctuary with the ambition of achieving water neutrality. A series of actions is already underway to restore and improve the aquatic ecosystems around the Guajaraz Reservoir - one of the three water sources for our Toledo factory. Additional measures are planned as part of our 2025-2030 Roadmap.
• Grand Parc Miribel Jonage (France): A 20-year partnership supporting the preservation of alluvial ecosystems and forests around the Rhône River near our Meyzieu factory helping to protect groundwater quality.

Through these initiatives, we are working to protect critical water environments, ensuring their long-term sustainability for nature and communities.

Educate: Raising awareness on water stewardship

Education is key to creating a lasting impact on water sustainability. We empower communities to understand the value of water and take action to protect it through Mizuiku, our water education programme.

Originally launched in Japan in 2004, Mizuiku has now expanded across Europe, adapted to local ecosystems and educational needs.

• SBF GB&I: The Mizuiku programme in the UK, in partnership with Severn Rivers Trust, offers interactive riverside workshops for families along the River Severn. In 2023, more than 800 participants took part in activities focused on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.
• SBF Spain: Integrated into the Guardianes del Tajo project at the Guajaraz Reservoir, the Mizuiku programme has educated more than 4,500 children since 2022, both in schools and around the reservoir.
• SBF France: In partnership with the Rivières Sauvages association, the Mizuiku programme provides free educational resources to spark curiosity among CM1-CM2 children (ages 9-11), unveiling the secrets of water and encouraging them to protect it.

By expanding Mizuiku across Europe, we are helping communities better understand water’s essential role in nature and daily life, ensuring that future generations become stewards of this precious resource.

Looking Ahead

Our commitment to water stewardship does not stop here. Moving forward, we will:

• Continue investing in water-saving technology across our factories.
• Expand our Mizuiku education programme to reach more communities.
• SBF Spain is working towards AWS (Alliance for Water Stewardship) certification, reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management and aiming to achieve the company’s first AWS certification outside of Japan.
• Enhance waste reduction efforts by improving forecasting, ingredient use, and production efficiency.
• Strengthen our partnerships with local organizations and environmental groups to accelerate conservation efforts and enhance water resilience.

Water is not just a resource - it is a shared responsibility. Through our Reduce, Protect and Educate framework, we are committed to making a lasting impact, ensuring that water remains available, clean and protected for generations to come.