First coffee capsule compostable at home

In cooperation with Golden Compound, the internationally active packaging manufacturer ALPLA is bringing a world first onto the market: a biodegradable coffee capsule that consumers can dispose of in their home compost.

Together with materials manufacturer Golden Compound, ALPLA has developed a market-ready coffee capsule that environmentally aware consumers can use with a clear conscience. The capsule is made from the material Golden Compound green. This comprises an organically based material and ground natural fibres from sunflower seed shells. The capsule and filter fleece are completely biodegradable in the garden compost within a maximum of six months, and are free from aluminium and genetically modified organisms. ALPLA provides its customers with the capsule and the garden-compostable lid.

The first user in the world is Amann Kaffee from Vorarlberg, Austria. The coffee roaster is presenting the new product as part of the ‘Gustav – fair for consumer culture’ trade fair in the Dornbirn trade fair district from 19 to 21 October. Golden Compound will also be represented at the industry trade fair Fakuma in Friedrichshafen (Hall B4, Booth 4114) from 16 October.

By-product of sunflower processing

Golden Compound uses sunflower seed shells as a reinforcing material. They are a by-product of the food industry and not in competition with food production. In this way, Golden Compound green protects fossil resources and reduces the carbon footprint. Composting the capsule generates humus, and the coffee grounds contain valuable plant nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Excellent characteristics

The material also has excellent characteristics, as confirmed by numerous certificates: the oxygen barrier is very much comparable with conventional plastics such as PP-EVOH-PP. The monolayer coffee capsule is thus aroma-proof without outer packaging. Furthermore, Golden Compound green is certified in line with the standards ‘OK compost HOME’ and ‘OK biodegradable SOIL’ from TÜV.

Fact box

Coffee capsules that can be composted at home, made from organically based material with sunflower seed shells
Material: Golden Compound green
Oxygen barrier: 0.0021 cm³/capsule*Day*0.21 bar (>365 days)
‘Nespresso-compatible’ with all current devices
Design: several colours available on request; filter fleece printable
Certificates: TÜV Austria Belgium NV No. S0464 OK compost HOME

About ALPLA

ALPLA is one of the leading companies involved in plastic packaging. Around 19,300 employees worldwide produce custom-made packaging systems, bottles, closures and moulded parts at 176 sites across 45 countries. The high-quality packaging is used in a wide range of areas, including for food and drinks, cosmetics and care products, household detergents, washing and cleaning agents, pharmaceutical products, engine oils and lubricants. ALPLA operates its own recycling plants: PET Recycling Team with two sites in Austria and Poland, and in the form of a joint venture in Mexico and a cooperation in Germany. ALPLA celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015.

About Golden Compound

Golden Compound has been developing and producing innovative materials with up to 70% ground natural fibres from sunflower seed shells since 2014. The sunflower seed shells are a by-product of the food industry. The company from Ladbergen is thus relying on an existing, high-quality, entirely harmless and transparent supply chain. The natural fibre is not in competition with areas of agricultural use. The Golden Compound material spectrum ranges from the long-lasting material ‘Golden Compound pro’ to ‘Golden Compound green’, which can be composted at home. Golden Compound considers itself an initiative in which everyone who wants to be sustainably successful can participate.

Source

ALPLA, press release, 2018-10-15.

Supplier

ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG
Golden Compound
TÜV AUSTRIA Group

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