Major Japanese beverage maker Suntory Holdings plans to start producing whisky using clean energy. The firm says this is part of its efforts to reduce its carbon output.
Suntory has been studying ways to apply hydrogen to the whisky-distillation process, which is currently powered by gas.
The company says the method it has devised allows the finished product to maintain a desirable taste and aroma. Major utility Tokyo Gas has been part of the project.
Suntory is now working to improve the cost-effectiveness of what it says is the world's first whisky distillation with hydrogen. It aims to put the method into practical use at a distillery in Yamanashi Prefecture as early as next year.
The firm plans to use hydrogen that has been generated by renewable energy for the process.