KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): Heineken Malaysia Bhd has picked up two awards at the recent Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) 2018.

The brewer received the Best Water Management award, in recognition of its outstanding achievements in reducing water consumption in production.

In a statement today, Heineken said the Best Water Management award recognised its initiatives to protect water resources externally, which resulted in the increase in access to clean water for rural villages in East Malaysia.

Additionally, Heineken also won a Special Recognition for Flagship Initiative, for its corporate responsibility efforts in river conservation, community empowerment, and strategic partnerships through SPARK Foundation's W.A.T.E.R (Working Actively Through Education and Rehabilitation) Project.

Heineken Malaysia managing director Roland Bala said Heineken's achievements at the SBA 2018 were a testament to its commitment in embracing sustainability from barley to bar.

"We also go beyond our operations to ensure we do our part as a responsible corporate citizen to protect the planet and create value for our stakeholders," he said.

Bala said that from 2014 to 2017, Heineken Malaysia reduced water usage in its Sungei Way Brewery in Petaling Jaya by 16.2%, attributed to improved efficiencies in brewing and packaging, which reduced wastage.

However, he said Heineken Malaysia's water conservation initiatives go beyond its immediate operations, extending into water stewardship projects through strategic partnerships.

Meanwhile, Heineken Malaysia corporate affairs and legal director Renuka Indrarajah said that over the past 11 years, the company has invested about RM8.5 million in driving water conservation projects in Malaysia.

"Our focus in East Malaysia is to help increase access to potable water. Since 2012, we have been working with communities in East Malaysia in the areas of environmental conservation and education outreach programmes.

"Our efforts have resulted in the creation of alternative water access for more than 5,000 people in Sabah, generating an estimated 2.8 million litres of potable water annually for six rural villages," she said.

At 10.33am, Heineken rose 0.69% or 14 sen to RM20.50 with 20,400 shares traded.