The expansion will support the growing demand for malt in whisky distilling and brewing.

Boortmalt’s expansion of its site will see production capacity increased by 50% to approximately 90,000 Mt per year. The expansion is already underway and scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2021.

The investment will also positively impact Boortmalt’s sustainability credentials with increased capacity reducing the distance malt and barley will be transported, helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. A new, modern kiln brings its own benefits to energy efficiency with more economical burner technology being installed.

Yvan Schaepman, CEO Boortmalt Group, said: “This significant investment into our malting facilities in Buckie is a signal of our confidence in the future of the market and recent performance of our customer base. The new capacity will allow us to increase production and do so in a more sustainable manner.”

Charles Tozer, general manager UK and Ireland at Boortmalt, added: “We pride ourselves on working alongside each distiller and brewer to offer them the malt they need for style of beer or whisky. We are excited for what the future holds after significantly expanding our production capacity.”

Boortmalt operates in the UK as Pauls Malt, based in Bury St Edmunds, East Anglia and is one of the oldest malting family businesses in the UK dating back to the 19th century.

It has run its malting facility in Buckie since 1974 and currently employs 24 people in Buckie, where it sources barley and sells its product locally, with the majority of its malt being delivered into Speyside.