UK: World’s largest malt kiln opened in Scotland

International malting company Boortmalt on July 7 opened the world’s largest kiln in Buckie, Scotland, the Press and Journal reported.

It is hoped the new kiln will allow the company to purchase more barley locally in the north of Scotland, supporting local farmers in those areas.

The kiln completes the expansion of Boortmalt’s Buckie malting plant on the Morayshire coast.

The new extension was opened by Yvan Schaepman, Boortmalt group chief executive and Douglas Ross Moray MP, and Highlands and Islands MSP.

The malting plant, under the name of Pauls Malts, has been in operation since 1974.

The business, which is one of the oldest malting businesses in the UK, has built the kiln and expanded its supporting buildings by 19,000 sq ft to support the growing demand for malt in whisky distilling and brewing across the globe.

Sales of whisky expected to hit £150 billion by 2031.

The new, modern kiln measures 134ft in diameter and has a capacity to hold 600 tonnes of malt per batch.

It also boasts economical burner technology, designed to increase energy efficiency.

Boortmalt’s expansion has been completed within 12 months of breaking ground.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .