Paulig’s coffee and spice shipments go green with 90% emission cut

AFRICA/EUROPE – Paulig, an international food and beverage company, is making coffee and spice shipments more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its ocean freight by 90%.

The company has partnered with multiple logistics carriers to switch to biofuel for all ocean imports, saving approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

This change reinforces Paulig’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with its broader environmental goals.

Paulig’s ocean imports mainly consist of green coffee and spices, which represent around 80% of its total shipments. More than half of these shipments come from Latin America, delivering green coffee to global markets.

By switching to biofuel, Paulig is reducing the environmental impact of transporting these essential ingredients.

While not every vessel will use biofuel, the company will purchase the equivalent amount under a mass balance system to support certified sustainable shipping practices.

“Sustainability isn’t just about what we produce; it’s about how we manage our inbound and outbound shipments. By taking these steps to decarbonize our logistics, we ensure that our products not only taste good but also do good. Investing in these important partnerships reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing our climate impact,” said Thomas Panteli, SVP, Supply Chain and Sourcing.

Paulig’s transition to biofuel builds on its broader sustainability initiatives, including the Paulig Climate Fund. Established in 2023 and valued at 2.5 million EUR in 2025, the fund supports emission reductions across the company’s value chain.

It focuses on projects related to wheat and coffee sourcing, logistics, and operational improvements.

The company has also developed long-term partnerships in Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics to transition logistics to renewable fuel.

Recently, Paulig collaborated with Einride in Sweden to introduce electrified trucks for road transport. The company continues to explore rail and short-sea connections where possible to further reduce emissions.

Paulig aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 50% from 2018 levels. Currently, logistics account for about 4% of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions, approximately 50,000 tonnes annually. This shift to biofuels is a crucial step in reducing that footprint.

“Moving towards more sustainable ocean freight is more than just a logistical improvement—it is another concrete step and illustration of our firm commitment to be a frontrunner in the industry and work together with our partners to develop practices. By reducing emissions throughout its supply chain, Paulig is ensuring that sustainability is embedded in every cup of coffee and every pinch of spice it delivers to customers around the world,” said Salla Sulasuo, Director of Sustainability.

Supporting African coffee exports

Paulig’s move to reduce emissions comes as the global coffee trade continues to grow. MSC, a leading shipping company, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting coffee exporters in Africa.

The company is participating in the African Fine Coffees Conference in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, from February 26-28, 2025.

Attendees, including producers, traders, and government representatives, will explore ways to enhance coffee exports while maintaining quality.

MSC’s logistics solutions ensure that coffee beans are transported under optimal conditions to preserve freshness. The company also offers food-grade containers, warehousing, and quality control services tailored to the coffee industry.

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