Pernod Ricard plans to invest around $250 million over five years to build a carbon neutral distillery with ageing warehouses and a visitor centre in Marion County, Kentucky, for its Jefferson’s bourbon brand.

According to Pernod, the facility is expected to be the first US distillery of its size to achieve LEED certification, an initiative recognising sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. The new distillery and warehouses will include low-carbon technologies, such as electrode boilers powered by certified renewable electricity, which will eliminate the use of fossil fuels during bourbon production.

Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said: “This new investment will allow us to grow our share of category sales not only in the US, but also in export markets”.

Ann Mukherjee, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, added: “The new distillery will enable Jefferson’s to efficiently keep up with very strong consumer demand while staying true to the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainability”.

“Our company is an agricultural company at its core, and so it is vital that we lead the category forward – in partnership with our farmers and growers – and remain committed to the long-term sustainability of our people, our industry and our planet. This investment is the latest illustration of that belief.”