As part of Rahr’s commitment to sustainability, 2 acres of hybrid poplar trees have been planted at Rahr Malting Co.’s Alix, AB facility to trial re-use of the steeping water that’s a byproduct of the malting process.
Currently, after use in the steeping phase of malting, the excess water undergoes a series of treatments prior to use as irrigation water in fields. Since trees are higher water users (and take more CO2 out of the air) than grasses and field crops, this trial plot of trees will indicate if a future “Alix forest” could allow for more steeping water to be used for irrigation, with the added bonus of decreasing CO2.
Please watch this space for more news and updates on Rahr’s sustainability efforts!