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Adnams Chalk And Hemp Warehouse Opens

Posted: 05/10/2006

Adnams Brewery has opened a new environmentally friendly distribution warehouse, complete with sedum roof, in Southwold, Suffolk. One of the biggest in the UK, the 2,382 square-metre roof of the new centre is designed to absorb rainwater, which will be released gradually and used to wash fleet vehicles and flushing staff toilets.

The living roof was laid in the summer but despite being normally drought resistant, because of the hot weather and no rainfall parts of it had to be replaced. The roof also has solar panels which will heat 80% of the hot water needed on site.

It is not just the roof which innovative - Adnams has constructed the building out of hemp and chalk blocks which absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate temperatures naturally and more efficiently, so they hope to see their energy bills cut by half. The thick, porous, walls will make the building actlike a big cellar, maintaining an ambient temperature throughout the year. No summer cooling or winter heating will be required.

The brewery says its UK distribution centre at Reydon is the first commercial building in the UK to be constructed entirely from the hemp and chalk blocks and it hopes it will be a trailblazer for other companies.

Managing director Andy Wood said the decision to go along the environmental path was an easy one - despite it coming at a premium.

He said: “We evaluate all areas of the business to find ways of lessening its impact on the environment. When the growing business required a new, modern distribution centre, Adnams applied this philosophy to ensure that we took every measure possible to create a pioneering, environmentally conscious development.”

He added: “As energy prices soar this energy-efficient building will make us substantial savings. I believe that Adnams is shaping the path for other businesses to follow.”

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