illycaffè becomes the first Italian coffee company to receive the certification that identifies those companies that operate according to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, showing how it is possible to integrate sustainable and regenerative models into the coffee industry.
B Corp certification is an award given by the international nonprofit B Lab to organizations that are committed to the highest standards of social and environmental performance and operate in a way that optimizes their positive impact on employees, the community and the environment.
A model based on the concept of business as a positive force that regenerates society and the environment (a condition now necessary for the survival of all companies of our time) and that B Corp concretely adopts through the rigorous integral measurement of the value created and the commitment to continuous improvement.
On April 14th illycaffè, a leading coffee producer and emblem of Made in Italy, became the 120th Italian B Corp. A significant result for a company present in 140 countries and in more than 100,000 bars, restaurants and hotels around the world.
Ethics and sustainability have been part of illycaffè’s DNA since it was founded in 1933 by Francesco Illy, as demonstrated by his son Ernesto’s belief that: “The function of the industrial enterprise is fundamental and inalienable, but the economic perspective alone cannot suffice to legitimize its work, as it must be integrated with respect for man, the community and the environment”.
A fundamental basis, which has been transformed by Andrea Illy and the Management that runs the company, into a path of sustainable innovation based on transparency and measurement.
With this in mind, in 2019 illycaffè adopted the legal status of Società Benefit (Benefit Corporation) and officially became a “double purpose” company, meaning that, in addition to profit, it pursues specific aims of common benefit, with the aim of generating value for the community, the territory and all stakeholders in a responsible and sustainable manner. For illycaffè, this translates into a focus on the responsibility of the entire value chain, the aspiration to happiness and quality of life of its stakeholders, the circular economy and innovation in favor of the planet and the development of a model of sustainable agriculture.
A choice that has allowed illycaffè to integrate its sustainability strategy into its Statute, protecting its mission and operating model in the long term, and enhancing what already characterized its corporate identity: being a Stakeholder Company.
Another characterizing aspect of illycaffè’s business is the deep relationship of interdependence established with its raw material producers. Through a model of responsible management of the supply chain, illycaffè’s approach contributes to the achievement of high sustainable product quality, an element that, in addition to distinguishing the brand, improves the positive impact of the company on the communities with which it interacts.
illycaffè builds relationships with its suppliers in such a way that they are long-lasting and oriented towards reciprocal and continuous improvement: it regularly monitors, with field checks, the working conditions guaranteed by its producers; it also purchases raw materials at a higher price than the market price, in recognition of the quality of the product obtained and, above all, with the aim of supporting communities and encouraging their development and well-being. The activation of knowledge transfer programs,is realised through the activities of the University of Coffee and the constant visits to the plantations by illycaffè technicians and agronomists, also leads to the improvement of impacts and the growth of the supply chain.
In addition to the social aspects, attention to environmental impacts is also central. illycaffè monitors the level of sustainability of the coffee growing processes, ensuring correct use of water, respect for ecosystems,their biodiversity and correct waste disposal.
The same approach is dedicated to industrial processes, i.e. the coffee processing and roasting processes – all carried out in the Trieste plant – which are oriented towards the constant reduction of the impacts generated on the environment.
Thanks to its own commitment and a constant path of improvement, illycaffèhas redefined the standards of excellence in the world of coffee, in a market where companies not only want to be the best in the world, but are increasingly called upon to be the best FOR the world.
Every day we strive to put our values into practice and reconcile economy with ethics we have embarked on the path of B Corp certification to crown our commitment to maintain a positive impact on society and our planet, joining that network of companies that, like us, promote a business model based on a strategy oriented to the creation of sustainable value in the long term.Massimiliano Pogliani, Chief Executive Officer of illycaffè
This extraordinary goal achieved by illycaffè shows that even in the coffee sector it is possible to act in a regenerative way. Today it is essential for all companies to evolve in this direction and we are sure that this success of illy will inspire many others, in Italy and worldwide, to accelerate in this direction.Eric Ezechieli, co-founder of Nativa