Nestlé's Nespresso coffee company unveiled a new line of capsules made from compostable paper. The new capsules will be piloted in France and Switzerland in the spring of 2023, with ambitions to expand to the rest of Europe within a year.
According to the firm, the debut of the new capsules is the result of three years of research and development in response to rising consumer demand for compostable packaging.
According to Nespresso, the new capsules are intended to expand consumers' sustainability options by providing an alternative for those with access to composting. Nespresso's current capsules are composed of 80% recycled aluminium, and the firm provides over 100,000 recycling collection stations for aluminium capsules in 70 countries.
Guillaume Le Cunff, Nespresso CEO, said:
"We are thrilled to unveil our first-ever paper-based home compostable capsule, which will complement our aluminium capsules that are recyclable and created with 80% recycled aluminium. This is yet another sustainable option that does not sacrifice quality."
According to the manufacturer, the capsules employ a number of exclusive technologies, including a proprietary lining to prevent oxidation of the coffee.
Charles Héaulmé, chief executive officer of sustainable packaging solutions manufacturer Huhtamaki and one of the capsules' co-developers, stated:
"We are thrilled to cooperate with Nespresso on the paper-based capsule that can be composted at home." Part of this groundbreaking innovation is the result of blending paper pulp from wood fibre, a naturally renewable substance, with our high-precision technology to compress it into a coffee capsule, thereby providing Nespresso enthusiasts with an additional environmentally friendly option."
The new capsules have been verified by the international certification agency TUV Austria for residential and industrial composting.
Director of Nestlé System Technology Center Julia Lauricella stated:
Together with the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences, we have developed a home compostable paper-based capsule, retro-compatible with the Nespresso Original machines, that meets and exceeds the high expectations consumers have of Nespresso regarding the protection of the coffee's aromas and flavour.
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