TÜV Austria CERT GmbH has awarded EcoPressoLid, a lid for coffee capsules, with the "OK Compost Industrial". This makes it the first certified compostable product from Constantia Flexibles. A milestone for the flexible packaging manufacturer and an opportunity for coffee suppliers to focus on more sustainable and at the same time more practical products.
The new compostable lids for coffee capsules from Constantia Flexibles are suitable for conventional capsule coffee machines. They are characterised by a very good coffee brewing performance as well as a high oxygen barrier and sealing ability. The special structure of EcoPressoLid is based on paper and provides an excellent oxygen barrier. It can be used to seal the upper as well as the lower part of the capsules.
Compost quality
According to a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 30 per cent of plastic packaging (measured by weight) needs to be fundamentally redesigned before it can be reused or recycled. In 2018, Constantia Flexibles introduced the more sustainable Ecolutions product range. The packaging in this product family is recyclable or compostable.
The compostable EcoPressoLid is also part of the Ecolutions range. Naturally occurring microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and algae, completely degrade the EcoPressoLid lid under industrial composting conditions in less than six months. It already breaks down into small pieces in less than three months. The quality of the compost does not deteriorate as a result. In addition, tests have shown that the growth of plants is not affected. This was the basis and prerequisite for the TÜV certification "OK Compost Industrial".
"The certification underlines the high quality standard of our products, but above all that their return to the cycle through organic recycling functions perfectly," says Gerwin Schalk, Head of Business Development Ecolutions at Constantia Flexibles.
Sustainable solutions are in demand
With an annual growth rate* of 7.07 percent, the market for coffee capsules has a high potential. This has also increased the demand for and need for more sustainable coffee capsule solutions for this market.
Constantia Flexibles has developed EcoPressoLid in cooperation with selected capsule producers and machine manufacturers. "With EcoPressoLid, we meet our customers' expectations by offering a compostable, practical solution with high oxygen barrier properties and therefore high quality," explains Paolo Battiston, Product Manager Coffee Capsule Solutions at Constantia Flexibles. "The great interest from coffee brands around the world shows us that we are on the right track," adds Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles.
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