The only Lithuanian Obeliai Distillery operating since 1907 and owned by Vilniaus degtinė lived to see new 3.1 million euro investment. It will be used to modernize the distillery, which will increase the output capacity of the company by 1.5 times and enable producing up to 27 thousand liters of spirit a day. Modernization works, which will take place for 12 months, will not only ensure distillation, but will also enable rectification and use of renewable energy. Investment into this project will buy off for one of the biggest producers of spirits within 3 years.
Vilniaus degtinė has divided the modernization works of Obeliai Distillery into two stages. The first stage – installation of bioreactor for electricity generation – has already been implemented. The second stage will involve the installation of rectifying column and biomass boiler.
“The first distillery modernization stage took place two years ago. At that time we mounted a biogas power plant and started generating power. The present stage could be called the second and the main stage of modernization, which will reduce production costs and increase the output capacity by 50 percent. Upon the implementation of our new project, we will abandon the fuel oil firing for the generation of thermal energy: only the sources of renewable energy will be used to meet the energy demand. Also, with the only private distillery in Lithuania, we will be able to continue the Lithuanian vodka production traditions – it will enable us controlling the entire production process from grain to final product and not acting as botllers only”, – states Juozas Daunys, CEO of Vilniaus degtinė.
The company will modernize the distillation equipment and install a modern rectifying equipment. The company will be able to adjust all production parameters and automate processes on site. According to J. Daunys, the most complicated distillery modernization process will be the installation of spirit rectification line. Rectification, according to J. Daunys, is an important vodka production process, during which spirit is purified – such impurities as ester, higher alcohols, aldehydes, and methanol are removed from spirit. It is an elaborate process, since all impurities are removed in different conditions or at different temperatures; therefore, correct adjustment of this process very important.
Povilas Stumbrys, Director of Obeliai Distillery, emphasizes that new investment will enable this Lithuanian distillery to distinguish by not only being one of the oldest distilleries in the Baltic Region, but also by being the distillery, which uses the sources of renewable energy.
“Investment will enable us saving energy resources and using renewable energy, which is of great advantage. We make every effort to preserve the only operating distillery in Lithuania, we can keep ourselves true Lithuanian vodka-making tradition successors. Also, Obeliai is one of the oldest distilleries in the entire Baltic Region and now the main distinction of this distillery will be that renewable energy will be used for the production of spirit”, – says P. Stumbrys.
About Vilniaus degtinė
Vilniaus degtinė, AB is one of the oldest and biggest companies of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania. The company launched its activities in 1907, when Obeliai Distillery started operating in Obeliai, Rokiškis District.
In 1995 Vilniaus degtinė was reorganized into a special purpose stock company. In 2003 controlling interest of the company was acquired by French concern BELVEDERE S.A. with joint ventures or daughter enterprises in more than 25 foreign countries. Currently BELVEDERE SA owns 150 globally accepted trademarks of alcoholic beverages.
Vilniaus degtinė products, which have maintained deep Lithuanian production traditions, have been on numerous occasions awarded for exclusive quality and recipes. The production of Vilniaus degtinė is exported to Latvia, Estonia, Poland, France, Denmark, China, Israel, Spain, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and the USA.
For more information please contact:
Darius Šiaudinis
Marketing Manager
Vilniaus degtinė
+370 616 08 039