Nieuws van bedrijven
HEINEKEN invests in a new global R&D Centre to drive sustainable innovation
€45 Million investment to support HEINEKEN’s “Brew a Better World” vision
HEINEKEN, the world-renowned brewer, has announced an exciting new initiative that underscores its commitment to sustainable innovation. With an investment of €45 million, the company is constructing the Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre, a cutting-edge global Research & Development (R&D) hub in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands. Set to open in mid-2025, this centre aims to advance HEINEKEN’s ambition to lead in sustainability and contribute to a greener, more equitable future.
A centre dedicated to sustainable development and product innovation
The Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre will focus on improving HEINEKEN’s existing products and processes while also developing innovative new products. Located near Europe’s largest brewery and the Delft University of Technology, the new centre is ideally situated to foster impactful R&D. The centre will support innovation across HEINEKEN’s portfolio, including major brands like Heineken®, Desperados, and Amstel, with a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly brewing methods, packaging advancements, and responsible resource management.
Aligning with HEINEKEN’s “Brew a Better World 2030” strategy
This investment aligns with HEINEKEN’s “Brew a Better World 2030” strategy, the company’s sustainability framework focusing on ambitious goals around net-zero emissions, renewable energy, and community support. HEINEKEN’s CEO, Dolf van den Brink, highlights that this centre will become “the beating heart” of HEINEKEN’s R&D, facilitating significant strides in product quality and environmental performance to accelerate the path toward a net-zero future.
Collaborating for the future of sustainable brewing
The partnership with Delft University of Technology is central to the centre’s vision. HEINEKEN will deepen its collaboration with TU Delft by expanding its biotechnology research programs, which include a dedicated HEINEKEN laboratory on campus. This partnership provides invaluable opportunities for Master’s and PhD students to engage in applied research, helping to solve real-world challenges through advanced fermentation and brewing technology.
Professor Jack Pronk, head of the Biotechnology Department at TU Delft, expressed his excitement for the project: “The new Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre provides unique possibilities for advancing our work with HEINEKEN on biotechnology innovations that address global challenges and promote sustainability.”
Honoring a legacy of innovation
The Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre is named in honor of Dr. Henry Pierre Heineken (1886-1971), a chemist and the first successor to HEINEKEN’s founder. Known for his contributions to brewing technology, Dr. Heineken’s legacy of scientific and sustainable innovation continues to inspire the company’s ongoing efforts to shape the future of beer responsibly.