Coffee producers Lavazza and Löfberg have solved the problem of the recycleability of coffee capsules. Previously coffee capsules were made from non-renewable raw materials like plastics and aluminium. Now customers are able to choose completely biodegradable capsules. Coffee from capsules currently cover some 30 percent of the European coffee market.
It took five years for Italian coffee producer Lavazza and chemical industry company Novamont to develop the compostable capsule. It is made of starches, cellulose, vegetable oils and their combinations. The brand name of the material is Mater-Bi.
The compostable capsule can be recycled as organic waste or sent to industry for composting.
Löfbergs biodegradable coffee capsules are made of sugar cane and sugar beet. Löfberg has developed its plant-based capsules together with the Dutch company Advanced Technology Innovations.