In January 2025, Solberg & Hansen took a big step towards becoming climate neutral by becoming the first coffee roaster in Norway to exclusively roast coffee with fossil-free biopropane. Now we are setting a new standard for sustainable coffee roasting in Norway – and marking ourselves as a pioneer in the industry.
This article was published on 17.02.2025.
Solberg & Hansen's focus on biopropane reduces CO2 emissions by at least 70%, and is a big step towards our goal of being a climate-neutral coffee roaster by 2030. For us, sustainability is about taking responsibility for the entire value chain, from the coffee farms we collaborate with to the machines we use in production.
One of the great advantages of biopropane is that it has almost identical molecules to fossil propane. This means that biopropane can be used in the existing tank we have at Ryen, without the need for modifications to either the system or the burners. Solberg & Hansen can thus continue to deliver the same high quality of coffee, but with a significantly lower environmental impact.
A new era for coffee roasting
As the first coffee roaster in Norway to use biopropane, Solberg & Hansen and supplier Flogas have had to find solutions together. Biopropane is still uncharted territory for many, but this collaboration has shown that it is possible – and could pave the way for more in the industry.
– I thought for a long time that biogas (methane from renewable sources) was the only solution, but it would have required major investments in new equipment, new tanks, new pipes, new burners – and not least time-consuming work adjusting our burning profiles to ensure the quality we are so proud of, says CEO of Solberg & Hansen, Bengt Ove Bitnes Hagen.
– Then Flogas tipped us off about biopropane. With biopropane, we could keep the infrastructure we already have, avoid heavy investments – and still become fossil-free.
Bengt Ove believes that more players will follow suit, as the willingness to pay for sustainable solutions is increasing:
– For us, it's not just about economics, but also about taking responsibility for the environment and showing that it is possible to run climate-friendly production without compromising on quality.
Caption: It was a big day when the first delivery of biopropane arrived at our Roastery at Ryen in January. Production and logistics manager Simo Kristidhi together with Flogas' driver.
"It is possible to operate a climate-friendly production without compromising on quality."
Bengt Ove Bitnes Hagen
Same great coffee – lower emissions
Biopropane is a renewable alternative to traditional fossil propane, produced from renewable raw materials such as vegetable cooking oil. Unlike fossil propane, which is extracted from natural gas separation, biopropane is produced in biorefineries from residues and waste. This makes it a much more sustainable energy source that meets the requirements of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (REDII).
The greenhouse gas emissions from the actual burning process at Ryen are now zero , while the indirect emissions associated with the production and transport of biopropane are below the EU requirement of 24g CO2e/MJ. This is at least 70% lower than the emission factors for fossil propane, making biopropane a superior choice for the environment.
The future of coffee and sustainability
Solberg & Hansen's transition to biopropane is an important step in the right direction for the coffee industry. With this initiative, we show that it is possible to roast specialty coffee in a more environmentally friendly way – without compromising on quality or efficiency.
As pioneers of biopropane in Norway, we now hope that more coffee roasters and industrial companies will see the value of investing in fossil-free energy. For Solberg & Hansen, this is just the beginning of a greener future for coffee lovers across the country.