Chocolatemakers, the Dutch chocolate manufacturer that transports its cocoa beans to Amsterdam using wind power and is known for its Tres Hombres and Gorilla bars, is building a new sustainable factory in Amsterdam.
The factory, which is due to start operations next spring, will eventually meet all its own energy needs through a transparent solar roof.
Chocolatemakers is seeing a long-held wish come true with its new premises for sustainable chocolate production. The company has been showing how chocolate is made since its inception - seven years ago. And not the mass product from big factories, but chocolate from the artisanal process that from the cocoa bean onwards is about quality rather than efficiency. The cocoa bean, its origin and its flavours are paramount to the 'bean to bar' chocolate producer.
Rodney and Enver's company makes chocolate where they do everything themselves from bean to bar. It is the only Dutch chocolate company that
controlling every link in the chain. They buy high quality organic cacao directly from the farmers for a good and fair price, roast it themselves and take their time. The chocolate bars are packaged in 100% recyclable material and printed with organic ink. Chocolatemakers works with farmer cooperatives in Peru, Dominican Republic and Congo.
Making cocoa chain more sustainable
The producer wants to show that the entire cocoa chain, from farmer to consumer, can be transparent, fair and sustainable. In doing so, the company goes beyond fair trade or organic alone. It also includes environmentally friendly transport and nature conservation. Chocolatemakers was named most
Amsterdam's sustainable SME.
The construction of an 'off the grid' factory that can fully meet its own energy needs marks another step towards further innovation to make the entire cocoa chain more sustainable. For example, the roof of the new location consists of transparent solar panels that will allow Chocolatemakers to provide its own electricity. The new premises will be built using as much circular building material as possible. In the future, the process of roasting the cocoa beans will also be sustainable.
The factory will be at Radarweg in Amsterdam, the world's largest cocoa port and home to Chocolatemakers. This is also where the Tres Hombres can dock directly. With this sailing freighter, Chocolatemakers transports cocoa beans to Amsterdam. With a sailing ship and its own power supply, the chocolate manufacturer can make chocolate with the power of nature.
