Compostable Coffee Capsule Lids

Compostable packaging developer TIPA and technology innovation company ATI have released a new compostable coffee lid, surpassing that of the popular Nespresso brand.

Patent protected, this solution can be used with all coffee capsules and coffee machines, including Nespresso’s, and is certified as fully compostable.

The lidding material, patent-protected by ATI, fits all compostable coffee capsules and coffee filling lines. The material also is suitable for all capsule variations, including the Nespresso system.

TIPA’s solution addresses issues such as poor sealing properties, delamination, inconsistent flow, or no flow at all, no barrier protection, and materials migrating into the coffee.

The new lid is plant-based and certified by OK Biobased in their official laboratories, achieving the highest accreditation of 4 stars. This rating ensures the carbon content of the product is at least 80 percent, meaning the carbon is derived from renewable raw materials.

The lids are fully compostable and can be disposed of in food waste bins, as described in protocol EN 13432 or EN 14995. This aligns with the UK’s Plastics Pact, which advocates for all coffee capsules to be made from compostable materials.

Similarly, the EU, through its upcoming packaging regulation (PPWR), mandates that coffee capsules be compostable in countries where they can be collected in food waste bins.

This lid was made with the use of TIPA’s high-barrier laminate, which once placed in a compost bin, composts into nutrient-rich soil within a few months.

In 2022 consumers viewed composability as one the most environmentally sustainable end-of-life disposal method for packaging, which makes TIPA & ATI’s innovation a major development in the world of sustainable at-home coffee making.

Daphna Nissenbaum, TIPA’s CEO and Co-Founder, said: “Whilst compostable coffee capsules have been on the market for several years, the market is yet to develop effective lids to complement the capsules. Within this collaboration with ATI, TIPA has delivered a superior solution to the coffee market. The compostable coffee capsule lids ensure that there is a fully compostable and circular solution for coffee lovers, whilst giving brands eco-friendly solutions developed by experts.”

Mark Klep, ATI’s CEO and Founder, said: “Over the last 13 years we have been pioneering the developments of laboratory-certified, durable and fully compostable packaging solutions. Our latest achievement of a patented coffee capsule lidding material developed with OTR and WVTR, in partnership with TIPA, is a milestone for sustainability in the coffee industry.”

The new lid is available to purchase in the U.S., U.K., and Europe.