Lavazza and chemistry research group Novamont have developed the first fully compostable and biodegradable Italian espresso capsules.
The coffee capsules is made from Mater-Bi 3G bioplastics from Novamont’s third generation range of materials. It features a significant proportion of renewable resources, a reduced dependence on materials of fossil origin, and produces less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional products in the coffee capsule category.
As well as being fully biodegradable, the capsules can be disposed of alongside organic waste and processed industrially into compost after use.
Novamont claimed that the partnership represented confidence in its research: “The partnership between Lavazza and the Mater-Bi third generation confirms the importance and the success of Novamont’s biorefinery model: a biorefinery integrated into the local area, with positive effects in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts,” it said.
The move towards more environmentally-friendly products is playing a key role in driving innovation within the single-serve coffee category. The two Italian firms’ announcement was made less than 24 hours after ecologically-conscious coffee capsule start-up CRU Kafe responded to comments made by the inventor of Keurig’s K-Cup capsule, announcing a product innovation of their own.
John Sylvan told The Atlantic magazine that he doesn’t personally use expensive coffee pods, and that he “felt bad” about the negative impact they have on the environment.
CRU Kafe co-founder and CEO Colin Pyle said: “CRU Kafe is in the process of testing a biodegradable capsule and hope to release it across our entire range towards the second half of this year. We continue to strive to create the best organic coffee in a biodegradable capsule.”
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