END USER INTERVIEW
chosen for its durability and resistance to the highly acidic cleaning agents used in the brewery’ s cleaning protocols. The entire valve network is automated and controlled from the central control room, which oversees the operation of the entire brewery.“ Obsolescence has become a significant challenge for us due to the age of the brewery,” Erik notes.“ Some of the original valves are no longer in production. To manage this, we conduct targeted replacement projects, replacing entire valve matrices one by one. Each matrix represents a group of valves located in a specific area. We collaborate closely with trusted suppliers to develop a replacement plan that minimises downtime and disruption to the brewing operations.” Once the outdated valves are removed, they are repurposed as spare parts to extend the life of the remaining ageing valves, providing an efficient solution for maintaining operational continuity across the plant.
All equipment in the massive pasteurisation and packaging facility is constructed of stainless steel.
Heat pump project
Sustainability and energy efficiency are priorities for the Heineken team, and a major ongoing initiative is focused on enhancing thermal energy recovery within the brewery. One of the key projects, now nearing completion, involves the installation of a large-scale heat pump system designed to capture and reuse waste heat generated during fermentation.“ Before beer can be bottled or canned, it must undergo pasteurisation,” explains Erik.“ This is typically achieved using plate heat exchangers supplied with steam. However, our new system will recover lowgrade waste heat from the fermentation process, upgrade it via heat pumps, and use it to heat water for the pasteurisation process.” By integrating this heat recovery loop, the brewery will significantly reduce steam demand and overall energy consumption.
Future proof
Heineken’ s Zoeterwoude brewery balances tradition with innovation, modernising its infrastructure with stainless steel, energy-efficient systems, and smart engineering. Led by experienced professionals like Erik Smit, the site is steadily evolving into a more sustainable, resilient operation— ready to meet the demands of the future while honouring its legacy.
An iconic Heineken truck doing its rounds in Deventer, the Netherlands. Photo: Dreamstime
The Heineken secret The Zoeterwoude brewery holds a unique and strategic role within the global Heineken network— it is the only site in the world responsible for producing Heineken’ s proprietary A-type yeast.“ This yeast is made according to a confidential formulation,” explains Erik.“ The entire process takes place in a dedicated high-sanitation area, effectively a stainless steel cleanroom designed to maintain the highest standards of microbiological control.” To ensure purity and process integrity, the facility uses specially treated ultra-pure water to generate clean steam, which is critical to maintaining sterility throughout the yeast production cycle. Once the yeast is cultivated and quality-checked, it is shipped under tightly controlled conditions to Heineken breweries around the world, serving as the foundational ingredient that ensures product consistency across global operations.
16 Valve World August 2025 www. valve-world. net