Across the coffee supply chain, companies of all sizes are intensifying their commitment to sustainability. A significant part of that commitment starts with how their coffee is roasted.
From micro-roasteries to global producers, the coffee industry is increasingly embedding environmental responsibility into core operations. For many modern businesses, transitioning to a more sustainable model is not only a response to external pressures, but also sound business decision-making.
IMA Coffee Hub is one of the actors in the roasting space showcasing how technological advancements in roasting and packaging can elevate energy efficiency. The trick, however, is achieving this without compromising product quality.
The company realises that if its customers can streamline resource usage, minimise operational waste, and adopt more ethical production methods, then they have the potential to reduce costs while improving brand value and profit margins.
Nicola Panzani – CEO of IMA Petroncini and Commercial Director of IMA Coffee Hub specialising in comprehensive coffee processing and packaging solutions – has observed this transition first-hand. He says both large-scale enterprises and independent roasters are now prioritising sustainability. The former are investing in robust infrastructure and system-wide upgrades while the latter are embracing agile, locally-oriented strategies.
“In today’s landscape, quality, sustainability, and traceability have become essential elements in coffee production – especially in large-scale operations,” says Panzani.
“There’s a clear shift towards reducing energy waste, selecting environmentally friendly packaging materials, and maintaining high-quality standards throughout every phase of production.”
One of the key enablers of this shift, Panzani says, is digitalisation. The ability to gather and analyse data in real time is transforming how coffee producers monitor their operations, allowing them to optimise every aspect – from sourcing green beans to the final stages of packaging.
“With data-driven technologies, producers can fine-tune efficiency, limit their environmental footprint, and scale sustainably,” says Panzani.
“At IMA Coffee Hub, we strive to support producers of every size in implementing these strategies, offering innovative and eco-conscious technological solutions. Digital transformation is not just a trend – it’s becoming the backbone of modern coffee production.”
Nevertheless, large roasters face several challenges in embedding sustainable practices into their business models. Among these are the uninterrupted integration of new technologies into daily operations, the efficient use of natural resources, and the growing expectation from consumers for environmentally responsible products – all while maintaining economic viability.
“Aside from technological investments, companies need to adopt a long-term commitment to sustainable supply chain management and ongoing process optimisation. Striking a balance between profitability and environmental responsibility is now a strategic priority,” says Panzani.
Roasting, in particular, remains one of the most energy-demanding processes in the coffee It means roasteries are increasingly turning to technologies – such as heat recovery systems – that not only reduce energy consumption but help decrease CO₂ emissions and support responsible resources management. As environmental regulations grow more stringent, investing in advanced exhaust gas treatment systems becomes a necessary step.
In response, IMA Coffee Hub has been investing in a series of innovations to enhance the energy efficiency of its roasting solutions.
A notable project is a modular hybrid roasting system for industrial-scale production. This technology combines traditional gas burners with a secondary heating source, offering a higher level of customisation and flexibility.
“This solution enables our customers to better calibrate their processes to reduce energy consumption while also cutting operational costs and CO₂ output,” Panzani explains. “By combining different energy sources, we can fine-tune the roasting profile and ensure both efficiency and quality.”
For smaller-scale operations, IMA has focused on improving the performance of heat recovery systems by design the new IMA Petroncini TTR EVO roasters. Through thermodynamic optimisation, even compact roasters can reclaim and reuse traditional gas heating more effectively, leading to tangible reductions in energy use.
The TTR EVO Roasters are designed with a robust structure and technical solutions geared towards high performance, energy efficiency and maximum operational safety, thanks to an engineering approach focused on environmental sustainability throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.
Material selection prioritises low-impact, recyclable and long-lasting components, and the design enables quick, targeted maintenance operations, reducing the need for replacements and limiting resource consumption over time, Panzani says.
“Special attention has been given to energy efficiency: optimised thermal flows and improved insulation systems significantly reduce energy consumption during the roasting process, without compromising the quality of the final result,” Panzani says.
“By minimising heat loss and optimising combustion efficiency, the TTR EVO achieves substantial energy savings and a reduction in CO₂ emissions.
“This systemic approach to sustainability enables the TTR EVO to meet the needs of a modern, responsible roasting facility, fully aligned with circular-economy principles and environmental accountability.”
Additionally, the roaster is equipped with integrated sensors and digital control systems, enabling precise monitoring of roasting parameters and facilitating data-driven process optimisation.
To support precise and consistent management of roasting profiles, the TTR25 EVO is equipped with VIRTUO, an advanced supervision software acting as a true digital partner for the roaster.
“Combining an intuitive interface with highly accurate control capabilities, VIRTUO offers a clear real-time view of temperature, pressure and airflow curves, while allowing precise adjustment of the recirculation percentage,” says Panzani.
The system enables the storage, recall and comparison of roasting profiles, as well as the export of all process data for further analysis and reporting. Every stage of the roasting process can be monitored, adjusted and saved, ensuring full traceability both during production and in post-roast evaluation. Designed to guarantee a repeatable, transparent and quality-oriented roasting experience, the company says VIRTUO supports the needs of modern, data-driven and specialised roasting environments.
Through its continuous efforts in sustainable innovation, Panzani says IMA Coffee Hub aims to strengthen its leadership in the global coffee equipment market.
“Our goal is to remain a benchmark in research, development, and technological advancement for coffee processing,” says Panzani.
“Innovation and digitalisation are intrinsically linked with sustainability. They’re the drivers that help optimise production and eliminate waste, leading to a more resilient and responsible coffee industry.”
For more information, visit ima.it
This article was first published in the January/February 2026 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more here.
