Buencafé, an Environmentally Sustainable Company

January 27, 2022
Buencafé, An Environmentally Sustainable Company

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In a context as competitive and complex as the present day, companies in Colombia need to be more efficient and demonstrate their commitment to the environment.

Buencafé, the only freeze-dried coffee in Colombia, has taken the leap toward guaranteeing a sustainable environment in the country’s coffee industry.

In 1999 the factory received the International Environmental Management Systems Certification ISO 14001 for the optimization of resources, the reduction of contamination, and the promotion of environmental best practices. Additionally, the coffee it produces holds specialty seals.

In its 48 years of operation, Buencafé has achieved important results in environmental management, highlighting its good waste management and use of cleaner energy sources, promoting the transition from crude oil to natural gas, thereby reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses.

The coffee industry daily consumes between 60,000 and 80,000 cubic meters (m3) of natural gas. In 2019, the consumption of natural gas reached 24.2 million m3, a figure that was reduced to 23.2 million m3 in 2020. This decrease complied with the implementation of a re-utilization model that from 26 years ago has used sediment (the waste resulting from the processing of coffee) and the husk (parchment that covers the coffee bean) as fuel for the generation of vapor in furnaces.

José Luis Ocampo, Buencafé Process Engineer, indicated that: “Biomass (sediment and husks) is ideal for the generation of vapor. From 2019 to 2020 we went from 16% to 20%. This signified a savings of $2.8 million, diminished greenhouse gases and avoided transportation to healthy landfills. Additionally, decreased ash (0.2% – 0.4%), compared to that emitted by carbon (10%) and the energetic equilibrium complements that of natural gas the use.”

Changes that Make All the Difference

Since 1990, Buencafé has used ammonia as a refrigerant, replacing freon gas which was retired because of its harmful effect on the ozone layer. From that same decade, the factory relied on special wastewater treatment (years before it was a requirement). The installation of LED lights, the collection of rainwater to be reutilized in the industrial process, and the use of solar panels to illuminate the administration area, are also changes which made a difference.

José Luis Ocampo insists on continuity and business growth. In the first semester of 2020 he reported historic sales of $78.4 million USD. This is also the success of his allies, among which stands out Efigas, which always backed him up. “During the pandemic, the factory didn’t stop. It stayed active. It performed very well in sales and production. With Efigas there were not setbacks. They were attentive to any need we had. They provided the commercial support, logistics for billing, and technical assistance visits,” emphasized Ocampo.

The Company is committed to its processes and now plans on a transformation to digital, characterized by an agile, and above all, sustainable culture, goals that are close to being achieved thanks to the Buencafé Energy Management Committee, formed in 2008.

Buencafé recognizes the importance of implementing measures that contribute to the care of the environment. Our history positions us as leaders in the care of our natural habitat. Our love for coffee pushes us to advance respecting our earth.

Article based on notes made for lapatria.com https://www.lapatria.com/actualidad/buencafe-se-ha-hecho-mas-sostenible-de-la-mano-de-la-energia-limpia-473068

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Buencafé garantiza que el café verde se produce, siguiendo prácticas que protegen el medio ambiente de acuerdo con las reglamentaciones de cada país (europea CE 834/2007 & CE 889/2008, americana NOP, Japonesa JAS, inglesa Soil Association, colombiana resolución 00187 y coreana), lo que significa su carácter orgánico inicial.

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En Buencafé hemos sido conscientes de la sostenibilidad desde nuestro nacimiento, cuando el término apenas empezaba a tomar fuerza en el mundo.

En sus 49 años de historia, la fábrica ha tenido cuatro ampliaciones (1983, 1997, 2008 y 2019), ha actualizado y perfeccionado la tecnología de sus procesos productivos, ha elevado su producción diversificado e innovando el portafolio de productos, ha expandido sus fronteras comerciales y ha alcanzado altos reconocimientos y certificaciones nacionales e internacionales, tanto a nivel de sus productos como de los sistemas de gestión de calidad, inocuidad, gestión ambiental, seguridad y salud en el trabajo, entre otras. Buencafé fue la primera empresa de Colombia en certificarse en la ISO 14001 y hoy cuenta con 25 certificaciones.

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“Vivir el optimismo como una fuerza transformadora para crear valor sostenible en el mundo del café” es el propósito superior que guía el trabajo diario de todos los que conformamos el equipo de Buencafé. Ese es el centro de nuestra cultura, de nuestras decisiones, de nuestra estrategia, de nuestro estilo, de nuestras conversaciones y relaciones, y así queremos inspirar a otros multiplicando nuestro impacto en todo lo que hacemos.

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Estamos certificados en buenas prácticas GMP garantizando la integridad del proceso de fabricación de alimentos y su conformidad con los reglamentos de seguridad alimentaria para Buencafé

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At Buencafé we have been conscious of sustainability since our beginning, when the term had just begun to be mentioned in the world.  

Over our 49-year history, the factory has had four expansions (1983, 1997, 2008 and 2019). The technology behind production processes has been updated and perfected. Production has increased, diversifying and innovating the product portfolio andour commercial scope has expanded. We’ve achieved national and international certifications for our products and for our quality, safety, environmental management, and occupational health and safety management systems, among others. Buencafé was the first Colombian business certified in ISO 14001 and nowadays has 25 different certifications.

The commitment today is consolidating sustainability in each and every initiative we propose, tackling the creation of sustainable value in the three essential pillars: economic, social and environmental.

“Living optimism as a transformative force to create sustainable value in the world of coffee” is the highest goal that guides our daily actions. Is the center of our culture, our decisions, our strategy, our style, our conversations and relationships. Is how we  inspire others and multiply the impact of everything we do.

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ISO 9001

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ISO 45001

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Colombian Coffee

We utilize the geographic indication as a guaranty of origin guaranteeing the authenticity of the product and complying with the quality standards of Colombian coffee. In 2007, Colombian coffee was recognized by the European Union Commission as a protected geographical product. In 2013 the Swiss government conferred that same protection to Colombian Coffee.

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We utilize a certificate of origin for 100% Colombian coffee. This seal is used to highlight the quality recognized in Colombian coffee

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We satisfy the needs of the Jewish community with the continuous and consistent production of Kosher products.

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Colombian Coffee

The Colombian Coffee logo with its distinctive triangle is symbolic of the Colombian coffee producer who works hard, produces a quality product, does things right, and brings an authentic product to market.

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