• Starting in 2027, Suntory will be the first in Japan to engage across the entire green hydrogen (H₂) value chain, from production to sales, using the Yamanashi Model Power-to-Gas System

Suntory Holdings has announced the Suntory Green Hydrogen (*1) Vision,” Suntory Group’s mid-to long-term plan for utilizing H₂. The announcement precedes the launch of the Yamanashi Model Power-to-Gas (P2G) System, scheduled to begin operating in 2025.

Since Japan formulated the Basic Hydrogen Strategy in 2017, positioning H₂ as a key energy source for achieving a decarbonized society, the establishment of H₂ supply networks has been actively promoted through public-private partnerships in the country. Suntory Group — in collaboration with Yamanashi Prefecture and nine companies engaged in technological development (*2) — is constructing Japan’s largest 16-megawatt (MW) size Yamanashi Model P2G System (*3) to supply green H₂ to the Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant and Suntory Hakushu Distillery.

The Suntory Green Hydrogen Vision comprehensively outlines the Group's H₂-related initiatives for achieving a H₂ society.

The Suntory Green Hydrogen Vision comprises:

• Suntory Group’s aim for H₂
  • Generate energy from water as a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water— H₂ is “Born from water, returning to water.” As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will engage across the entire H₂ value chain, from production to distribution and sales. By creating and promoting the unique value of green H₂, the Group aims to contribute to achieving a H₂ society by expanding its use.
  • Create a “local production for local consumption model” for green utilizing abundant renewable energy and water resources—Yamanashi Prefecture has an abundant supply of renewable energy and water resources. Suntory Group will produce green H₂ in Yamanashi Prefecture using the Yamanashi Model P2G System for utilization not only within the Group, but also for supply and sale to local industries in the prefecture. The Group aims to establish a new “local production for local consumption model” for green H₂ in inland regions.
• Outline of Suntory Group’s H₂-related initiatives:
  • Phase 1: In 2025—Begin to utilize green H₂ produced by the Yamanashi Model P2G System at Suntory Group’s owned sites; run H₂ boilers for the heat sterilization process at the Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant; explore using H₂ for direct-fire distillation in whisky production at the Suntory Hakushu Distillery.
  • Phase 2: From 2027 onwards—In collaboration with partner companies, Suntory Group will be the first in Japan to engage across the entire green H₂ value chain, from production to sales; together with Yamanashi Prefecture and Yamanashi Hydrogen Co., Suntory Group will produce green H₂ using the Yamanashi Model P2G System; collaborating with TOMOE SHOKAI CO. LTD. on the distribution and sales of green H₂, considering both local consumption in Yamanashi Prefecture and sales in Tokyo.
• Other prospects for H₂ utilization:
  • Suntory Group will actively explore opportunities to utilize H₂ at other owned production sites in Japan and abroad.
  • Promote public-private partnerships through the framework of the Central Japan Hydrogen and Ammonia Association, with the goal of using H₂ as a heat source at the Suntory Chita Distillery in the future
  • Initiate consideration for H₂usage at the Suntory Takasago Plant in Hyogo Prefecture, with the goal of introducing H₂ use at the site by the early 2030s.
  • Leverage the Group's diverse business portfolio to proactively explore new business opportunities utilizing H₂.

Masaaki Fujiwara, Chief Sustainability Officer of Suntory Holdings, comments, “Hydrogen, an energy source that is ‘Born from Water, Returning to Water,’ is an essential element for Suntory Group to achieve net zero emissions, as outlined in our Environmental Vision toward 2050. As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, pursuing initiatives on hydrogen was a natural development. As a new approach to engaging with water, we aim to contribute to the realization of a hydrogen society by fully leveraging and expanding the potential of hydrogen energy.”

(*1) Green H₂ is produced by splitting water into H₂ and oxygen using renewable electricity.

(*2) Toray Industries, Inc., Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc., TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc., Kanadevia Corporation, Siemens Energy AG, KAJI TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, MIURA CO., LTD., NICHICON CORPORATION, Yamanashi Hydrogen Company, Inc.

(*3) This program, “Hydrogen Production through Water Electrolysis Using Power from Renewables (adopted August 2021),” is supported by NEDO under the Japanese government’s Green Innovation Fund.