Denmark-based sustainable coffee company, Slow, has acquired African Coffee Roasters (ACR) —a Kenya-based roastery known for its origin-based coffee processing model as it intends to strengthen its global supply chain structure in coffee-producing regions.
- •The transaction gives Slow full ownership of ACR, acquiring 100% of the company from Coop Danmark A/S (80%) and the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU, 20%)—both founding shareholders who jointly established the company in 2015.
- •ACR exports its products to nine countries across three continents and is the largest importer of roasted coffee into the European Union.
- •ACR’s operations in Kenya will complement Slow’s existing footprint, which includes roasting in Denmark and partnerships with other roasters across Europe and Southeast Asia.
“This isn’t just about growth—it’s about rethinking what’s possible for coffee. ACR has built something incredible, and together, we are setting new standards for sustainability, transparency, and value creation in coffee-producing regions,” Slow CEO, Sebastian Nielsen, said.
The company plans to gradually increase its roasting capacity in Kenya and minimise the need to ship unprocessed coffee to consuming markets. By combining regenerative farming with local processing, Slow aims to retain more value at the source, improve farmer livelihoods, and offer fully traceable coffee with verified sustainability metrics.
Slow has confirmed that no immediate changes will occur for ACR’s customers or pricing structures. The company will maintain its existing producer relationships and expand collaborations with farming communities. ACR operates an export-focused roasting facility in Athi River, Kenya, producing certified organic coffee for global markets.
Operations will continue under a unified strategy, integrating both companies’ sourcing, roasting, and distribution networks. The acquisition is part of Slow’s broader effort to redefine industry standards for transparency, environmental impact, and equitable value distribution.
