Scotland Climate Minister visits BrewDog’s Ellon biomethane facility

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, has visited BrewDog’s anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane facility in Ellon.
During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary saw first-hand how Scotland’s anaerobic digestion industry is converting organic by-products and food waste into renewable biomethane — reducing carbon emissions while driving sustainable economic growth.
Developed as part of BrewDog’s Net Zero strategy, the Ellon plant transforms brewing waste into green gas that powers operations and contributes to Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. The facility demonstrates how AD technology can deliver energy security, rural investment, and substantial carbon savings in line with Scotland’s ambitious climate targets.
The visit, organised by the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), underlined the vital role of AD and biomethane in achieving Scotland’s Net Zero commitments through wider deployment across the country.
Dr Gareth Mottram, Senior Policy Lead at ADBA, said: “Scotland has a unique opportunity to lead the UK in deploying anaerobic digestion and biomethane as key tools for achieving Net Zero. BrewDog’s Ellon plant is a perfect example of how food and drink businesses can capture value from waste, cut emissions, and generate clean energy for their operations and local communities. We welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s engagement and look forward to working with the Scottish Government to unlock the full potential of AD across the economy.”
James Taylor, CEO of BrewDog, added: “It was fantastic to welcome Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin to our Ellon site. We’re incredibly proud of our anaerobic digestion plant and the role it plays in our journey to Net Zero. It’s a great example of how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand — treating over 60% of our brewery wastewater and generating biogas that can be upgraded and injected into the local gas network, while helping us reduce our carbon footprint. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable brewing, and it was great to share that progress on site.”