Suntory Beverage & Food Spain Signs Agreement for Water Source Conservation Activities with Layos City, Spain

― The agreement is part of the 'Guardians of the Tagus' project, the Suntory Group's first Natural Water Sanctuary in Spain, and aims to improve biodiversity and the quality and quantity of water in the Guajaraz reservoir through various actions, such as reforestation. ―

< Gonzalo Garcia Gonzalez, Mayor of Layos (left) and Sara de Pablos, COO of Suntory Beverage & Food Spain (right) shake hands at the agreement ceremony in November >

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Tokyo, Japan (December 12, 2023) — Suntory Beverage & Food Limited announced today that its Spanish subsidiary, Suntory Beverage & Food Spain, concluded an agreement on water source conservation activities with the city of Layos, Toledo, Spain, on Wednesday, November 22 this year, to improve the biodiversity of the area and the quality and quantity of the water of the Guajaraz reservoir, thanks to the transfer of 1.86 hectares of land by the Town Council.

This agreement, framed within the 'Guardians of the Tagus' project, the first Natural Water Sanctuary of Suntory Beverage & Food Spain, is a great boost to the development of the project and the company's sustainability strategy, as it aims to improve the quality and quantity of water available in nature and in the reservoir, improve biodiversity and sustainability in general, and raise awareness among the population about the importance of water, its sustainable use and the conservation of the environment. All of this by carrying out various actions in the area surrounding the Guajaraz reservoir basin, one of the three reservoirs that supply its Toledo factory.

One of the actions included in the agreement is the reforestation and revegetation of land adjacent to the right bank of the Layos stream, which it´s being carried out between 2023 and 2025 to improve the biodiversity of the area, prevent erosive processes through better fixation and enrichment of the soil, reduce diffuse pollution, improve water infiltration and capture CO₂ from the atmosphere. Through this agreement, Suntory Beverage & Food Spain commits to reforestation and its maintenance for the next 30 years.

Since 2021, the Suntory Group has been taking the lead in conducting surveys on water balance, water quality, and biodiversity around the reservoir. Based on the results of these surveys, the group launched "Guardianes del Tajo" (Guardians of the Tajo River) project.

< Suntory Group's major activities to date >
●Identification of topographic watershed boundary and desk study on water balance at the Toledo Plant
●Establishment of a monitoring system, including river water levels in the upper reaches of the reservoir
●Launch and pilot implementation projects to improve the environment of Layos River
●Establishment of water supply ponds for habitats of indigenous wildlife and amphibian populations
●Vegetation activities for the restoration of Mediterranean shrubland around the reservoir in collaboration with the city of Layos
●Implementation of volunteer programs by its employees

< Main activities to begin by Suntory Beverage & Food Spain in 2024 and onwards >
●Implementation of the project to improve the riparian vegetation environment of Layos River
●Implementation of volunteer programs by local residents
●River flow surveys at least 12 times per year 

With the aim to protect water, which is indispensable for manufacturing, the Suntory Group aims to achieve "Water Positive^*1" by 2030 at more than half of its factories around the world^*2 by replenishing at least 100% of the water used through water source conservation efforts. In Japan, the company has already recharged more than twice the amount of groundwater pumped up at its factories through the "Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary" activities started in 2003. Overseas, the group is currently conducting water source recharge activities in five countries^*3, including the Maker's Mark "Natural Water Sanctuary" project that began activities in 2016. Suntory Group will actively promote water source recharge activities to achieve the Suntory Environmental Target 2030.

As a group company of Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd., Suntory Beverage & Food Spain manufactures and sells Schweppes, La Casera and other soft drink brands in Spain. In the area surrounding Toledo, Spain, rainfall during the dry season is extremely low, and the rain that falls during the rainy season is stored in various dams (reservoirs) to meet the water demand throughout the year. The Toledo plant also uses water supplied by several reservoirs to manufacture soft drinks. Through the restoration of the vegetation environment around the Layos River, which flows into Guajaraz Reservoir, the company will improve water quality and biodiversity by increasing the amount of available water to local residents and ecosystems.

*1 Suntory Group defines "Water Positive" as replenishing a volume of available water to the local catchment from it came more than water withdrawal. "Water Positive" is attracting attention from countries around the world as one of the solutions to global water resource issues such as water scarcity.

*2 Suntory Group plants that manufacture products

*3 India, USA, Mexico, UK, France

< Left: Water quality survey by the Water Science Institute and local researchers / Right: Guajarras Reservoir, the source of water for the plant >

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As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will always protect the ecosystems that deliver water. Because its ecosystem is the wellspring, not only of its business and the rich experiences the group creates for people's lives, but also of human life itself. Suntory Group will continue to be a company where everyone is empowered with the freedom and flexibility to innovate. Through all of its corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to inspire the brilliance of life.

Learn more about Suntory Group’s Sustainability activities here, and about its activities related to Water Sustainability here.

About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from premium spirits, beer, wine, ready-to-drink alcohol beverages, to brewed teas, bottled water, still and carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink coffee and energy drinks, along with health and wellness products. Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu, as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. Suntory also fascinates the taste buds with The Premium Malt's beer, and owns the exceptional Japanese wine, Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection includes Sauza Tequila, non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, BOSS coffee, Iyemon green tea, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, V and BRAND’S, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.

Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.2 billion in 2022. Its 40,885 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.

As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will always protect the ecosystems that deliver water. Because its ecosystem is the wellspring, not only of its business and the rich experiences the group creates for people's lives, but also of human life itself. Suntory Group will continue to be a company where everyone is empowered with the freedom and flexibility to innovate. Through all of its corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to inspire the brilliance of life.

Learn more about Suntory Group, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability at www.suntory.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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  Gonzalo Garcia Gonzalez, Mayor of Layos (left) and Sara de Pablos, COO of Suntory Beverage & Food Spain (right) shake hands at the agreement ceremony in November

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  Water quality survey by the Water Science Institute and local researchers

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  Guajarras Reservoir, the source of water for the plant