The Canadian coffee roaster is using the ‘world’s first’ 100% electric commercial coffee roaster at the 100,000sq ft manufacturing facility in Sherbrooke, Quebec
The plant is equipped with the very first 100% electric industrial roaster designed by Neuhaus Neotec | Photo credit: Café William
Quebec-based coffee roaster Café William has opened a new CA$47m ($34.8m) energy-efficient manufacturing facility in Sherbrooke boasting the ‘world’s first’ 100% electric industrial roaster.
Energy efficiency measures at the 100,000sq ft site are expected to achieve a 90% reduction in Café William's direct scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2022 levels.
The new coffee roaster, produced by German manufacturer Neuhaus Neotec, has an annual roasting capacity of up to nine million kilos and is expected to reduce Café William’s CO2 equivalent emissions by around 800 tonnes annually.
CA$19m ($14m) the total investment in the facility has been allocated to reduce the site’s environmental impact, including reduced water consumption, optimised energy efficiency and the use of sustainable building materials.
“This accomplishment underscores our dedication to innovation and industry excellence. Operating Canada’s first electric industrial roaster fills us with immense pride. Today, we mark yet another sustainable initiative in our supply chain aimed at reducing the ecological impact of our coffee,” said Rémi Tremblay, CEO, Café William.
Founded in 1988, Café William is one of the largest importers and roasters of organic and Fairtrade certified coffee in Canada.
As part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, in December 2023 Café William transported 72,000kg of coffee on a cargo sailboat from Santa Marta, Colombia, to Sherbrooke – a voyage which took 20 days.