Trieste-based Illy is a family owned business and the maker of one of the best “caffè” available. It is also one of the world’s most ethical companies according to the Euro Consumer association.  

On Tuesday 18 November, Daria Illy, Director of New Business Development at illycaffè, and Riccardo Illy, Chairman of Gruppo Illy Spa, told an audience in Luxembourg how illycaffè has integrated sustainable thinking into its organisation throughout the history of the company since it was founded in 1933 by Ernesto Illy.  

For Illy Caffè, integrating sustainable thinking into all aspects of the supply chain is key as sustainability touches economic, social and environmental issues (click here to see presentation). Growers are paid a higher price to supply better coffee and can benefit from the knowledge transfer set up by l’Università del caffè created by Illy in 2000, as shown in the inspirational story of the coffee mill Asomobi in Costa Rica, rebuilt and entirely run by women, and the topic of an upcoming documentary (click here to see the trailer).

The event was organised in cooperation with the Luxembourg Bocconi Alumni.