Nestle launches paper-based Nespresso compostable coffee pods

Irene Dong

Irene Dong

Nestle

Nestle has launched Nespresso compostable coffee pods made primarily from paper which are now being tested in two European markets. 

According to Nespresso CEO Guillaume Le Cunff, the paper-based coffee capsules will complement the brand’s aluminium capsules which are both recyclable and made using 80 per cent recycled aluminium.

Several components of the new Nespresso compostable coffee pods use patented technology, such as the biopolymer lining inside the capsule, which protects the coffee from oxidization.

“This is about yet another sustainable choice, without compromising on quality,” he said. 

Nestle launches paper-based Nespresso compostable coffee pods
Nespresso’s Guillaume Le Cunff

The product is certified for composting, both home and industrial, by TÜV Austria, an international certification body. These capsules can be disposed of in the public biowaste receptacle in several nations, including France, where Nespresso is testing this line.

“We combined a high-precision paper pulp forming process with a biodegradable layer for protection against oxidation to preserve our coffee in transport, storage and during the high-pressure extraction in our machines,” added Julia Lauricella, head of global R&D centre for systems and coffee machines. 

The innovative paper-based capsules were developed in collaboration between Nespresso and Huhtamaki, a major manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions.

Nestle reports that customer demand for biodegradable packaging is expanding and that 45 per cent of French people already compost one or more forms of biowaste at home.

“Pushing the boundaries of fine coffee experiences is part of the Nespresso innovation, and since becoming a B Corp earlier this year, we’re more committed than ever to widening the sustainable choices we offer our consumers,” said Le Cunff. 

The new line of Nespresso compostable coffee pods will initially be tested in France and Switzerland before becoming available in several other European nations within a year. 

The Swiss multinational has been investing a lot of money in developing sustainable pods to address concerns in the community that too many single-use pods are ending up in landfills. This month, in Hong Kong, Nespresso unveiled a display showing the sustainable circular journey of making coffee – from capsule to cup to table.

Irene Dong

Irene Dong

Irene Dong is a graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology with a major in international relations, specialising in public relations, communications, and media. An aspiring writer she has a passion for fashion, sustainability, and languages.

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