TIPA and ATI craft compostable, biobased coffee capsules lids

Recently, global packaging developer and manufacturer TIPA (Hod Hasharon, Israel) have launched a first-of-its-kind fully compostable high-barrier coffee capsule lid, in collaboration with technology innovation company ATI (Charleston, SC, USA).

Conscious consumers are making a switch to compostable coffee capsules but brands are struggling to develop an effective eco-friendly lid that complies with all qualitative aspects ^[1]. TIPA and ATI’s compostable lid, combine TIPA’s breakthrough high-barrier film and ATI’s patent protected system to support consisted flow and enhanced taste experience.

“Pre-brewing options with a capsule is what the Barista was looking for” Unique is the fact that this compostable lidding material can be optimized alongside the coffee grind, ensuring the highest extraction quality. The material, patent-protected by ATI, fits all compostable coffee capsules and their specific coffee-filling lines.

Its origin ensures that consumers receive a fully compostable product abiding by EN 13432.

The UK’s Plastics Pact advocates for all coffee capsules to be made from compostable materials. Similarly, the EU, through its upcoming packaging regulation (PPWR), may allow member states to mandate for coffee capsules to be made from compostable materials.

This lid has been made possible with the use of TIPA’s groundbreaking, high-barrier laminate, which has a circular end of life: at the end of its use, when placed in a compost bin, the lid – and the capsule – turn into nutrient-rich soil within a few months.

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”.

This development surpasses popular consumer brands, whose compostable coffee capsule lid has several failings, including poor sealing properties, delamination, inconsistent flow – or no flow at all, no barrier protection, and even materials migrating into the coffee.

Plastic & aluminium coffee capsules have dominated the market, despite 29,000 plastic coffee capsules ending up in landfills every minute in the world and decomposing at a slow enough rate that the next 20 generations will still be able to see them. Furthermore, a recent study from Wageningen University and Research ^[2] found that compostable coffee capsules are the most sustainable option for single-serve coffee units. In 2022 consumers viewed composability as one the most environmentally sustainable end-of-life disposal methods for packaging ^[3], which makes TIPA & ATI’s innovation a game-changing development in the world of sustainable at-home coffee making.

Mark Klep, ATI’s CEO and Founder, said: “Over the last thirteen 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 high OTR and WVTR in partnership with TIPA is a milestone for sustainability in the coffee industry”.

The new lid is biobased 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%, meaning the carbon is derived from renewable raw materials.

The new lid is available to purchase in the UK, Europe, and the USA.
As a founding member of the UK’s Compostable Coalition, which includes brands such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Ocado on its advisory board, TIPA is focused on creating compostable packaging for all food and fashion products.

^[1] _{https://www.challengepackaging.co.uk/plastic-free-packaging/}
^[2] _{https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/research-institutes/food-biobased-research/show-fbr/compostable-capsules-most-sustainable-option-for-single-serve-coffee-units.htm}
^[3] _{Packaging Insights (2022) Top Packaging Trends 2022: “Food Waste Fighters” combat climate, pandemic and political crises}