About CR3 Kaffeeveredelung M. Hermsen Founded in 1970 in Bremen, Germany, CR3-Kaffeeveredelung M. Hermsen GmbH is a family-owned company with more than five decades of expertise dedicated to the treatment and decaffeination of green coffee. From its beginnings under the leadership of Manfred Hermsen, the company has combined tradition, innovation, and a strong commitment to quality, becoming an international reference. CR3 applies two main decaffeination methods, each tailored to client needs and focused on preserving the character of the coffee. The traditional methylene chloride process gently steams the green beans before applying a solvent that selectively binds to caffeine; the beans are then thoroughly washed, steamed, and dried, leaving no detectable residue. This method is valued worldwide for its efficiency and its ability to maintain the coffee’s original flavor balance and aroma. Complementing this approach, CR3 also developed its patented liquid CO₂ method in 1988, recognized as a gentler and more sustainable alternative that retains even more of the bean’s natural complexity—marking a milestone in modern decaffeination technology.