If you run a coffee roastery in Germany, 1 December 2026 is a date to have in your calendar.
That is when the transition period for existing installations under Germany’s Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft) ends. Roasteries operating plants approved under the 2002 version of the TA Luft must meet the stricter emission limits introduced in 2021 by then.
What changed with the TA Luft 2021
The revised TA Luft came into force on 1 December 2021. Its tighter emission limits applied immediately to new plants, while existing plants received a transition period. That period ends on 1 December 2026.
The TA Luft is an administrative regulation, so it reaches operators mainly through the responsible authorities. Authorities can order existing plants to meet the new requirements, and many operators will only hear about their obligations when the authority gets in touch. Waiting for that letter is not a sound plan, because the time needed to assess, modernise, or retrofit equipment can be significant.
What it means for your roastery
Some roasteries will find that their equipment already complies with the 2021 limits. Others will need to check their exhaust and filtration systems against the new requirements. Whether a plant needs modernisation or additional filtration depends on the equipment, the plant’s configuration, and the building it sits in. A general answer is rarely enough, which is why a plant-specific review matters.
How to prepare
Start by confirming which version of the TA Luft your plant was approved under and whether your authority has already issued any orders. Then compare your current emission performance and equipment against the 2021 limits. If gaps exist, the sooner you assess the options, the more choices you will have.
We can take a look
Our systems meet the TA Luft 2021 emission standards. If you are not sure whether your current setup does, get in touch. We are happy to review it with you. A check now is far easier than a rushed retrofit in the final weeks before the deadline.
