SP Brewery has partnered with locally owned company Optimum Trade Limited to repurpose spent grain from its brewing process in Lae for agricultural use.
The initiative aims to support local farmers by providing nutrient-rich organic material while promoting responsible waste management.
SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager John Nilkare welcomed the partnership, saying it provides both environmental and economic benefits.
“We are proud to support a locally owned business with a proven commitment to sustainability. Their innovative approach to repurposing sludge generated from our wastewater treatment plant and spent grain adds significant value to our operations.
“This is both a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for SP Brewery and Optimum Trade. This partnership reflects our commitment to our global ambition of turning waste into value and closing material loops throughout our value chain by 2030. We are excited about the positive outcomes this collaboration will deliver.”
Optimum Trade Director Michael Early, who founded the company in 2022, described the partnership with SP Brewery as an incredible opportunity.
“Partnering with SP Brewery has been an incredible opportunity. We have already created positive outcomes beyond waste management, distributing spent grain to farms.”
Early said the nutrient-rich material is being used as compost in gardens and as stockfeed for farms.
He said delivery is also provided at no cost, making the programme accessible to farming communities that may otherwise face challenges accessing sustainable and affordable stockfeed.
According to Early, demand for spent grain continues to grow as more farmers see its benefits.
“Many farmers are seeing the benefits and are requesting more sludge and spent grain because it costs them nothing. The environmental impact is clear — cleaner communities, greener farms and healthier growing conditions.”
He said the partnership has also created opportunities for local people and businesses while supporting more sustainable farming practices.
In addition to spent grain, sludge generated from SP Brewery’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is collected and supplied to farms as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner to help improve soil health and agricultural productivity.
The initiative aligns with SP Brewery’s global sustainability strategy of closing material loops throughout its value chain by 2030, ensuring valuable resources are reused rather than discarded.
WHAT IS SPENT GRAIN?
Spent grain is the leftover malted grain from the brewing process. It is rich in fibre, protein and nutrients and can be used as compost or stockfeed.
WHAT IS SLUDGE?
Sludge is a thick mixture of liquid and solid materials produced through industrial processes, including wastewater treatment.