Beverage Industry Benchmarking
When performance is measured, performance improves
BIER conducts an annual quantitative and qualitative benchmark study that examines water and energy use in the beverage sector. These sustainable benchmarking studies provide insight into water stewardship practices and energy efficiency performance.
Collecting the Data
To establish the data set for our benchmarking report, BIER member companies provide facility-specific metrics related to total water and energy usage, beverage production, beverage product mix, facility type and facility location. Results are then normalized, categorized by facility type (bottling, brewery, distillery and winery), and analyzed. The basis for analysis are the water and energy use ratios, which are indicators of how efficiently a facility uses water and energy for beverage production.
Sustainability Benchmarking – Continuing Progress
The 2021 study evaluated the performance of over 1,900 beverage manufacturing facilities distributed across 6 continents and represented 17 different companies. Over the most recent three year study period, water use ratio decreases were reported by over 68 percent of facilities and energy use ratios decreased for 64 percent of facilities, a clear illustration of the proactive approach that the beverage industry is taking to improve business practices and diminish environmental impacts.
Sustainability Benchmarking News
The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) Issues Results of 2021 Water, Energy, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Benchmarking Study
The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) completed its 11th global benchmarking study – a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research of water, energy, and emissions efficiency in the beverage industry. The findings of the study substantiate the beverage industry’s ongoing efforts to better understand and reduce resource use on a global scale.
The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) Releases The Facility Decarbonization Playbook
In response to a world progressively seeking to move towards low carbon economies, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) has published The Facility Decarbonization Playbook.
Formalizing Sustainability: Kentucky Bourbon Industry Collaborates with BIER
Kentucky bourbon industry releases results of first environmental benchmarking study with BIER.
BIER Issues Results of 2018 Water, Energy, and Emissions Benchmarking Study
The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) released their 2018 Water, Energy, and Emissions Benchmarking Study celebrating their tenth benchmarking..
BIER Issues Results of 2016 Water and Energy Use Benchmarking Study
BIER released their 2016 Water and Energy Use Benchmarking Study, which includes water and energy data across the globe.
BIER Issues Results of 2014 Water and Energy Use Benchmarking Study
Beverage Industry Continues to Drive Improvement in Water and Energy Use Today the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) marks the release of select
Beverage Industry Continues to Drive Improvement in Water and Energy Use
Water and Energy Use Ratios Decrease 70 and 66 Percent Respectively Over Three-Year Period Since 2007, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) has
BIER Issues Results of 2012 Water Use Benchmarking Study
Since 2007, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) has conducted an annual quantitative benchmark to examine water use in the beverage sector. 20

Benchmarking provides a mechanism to demonstrate beverage industry improvement.
Learn more about how BIER’s workstreams, such as benchmarking, support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.