Ahlstrom has announced that it will supply a solution made from polylactic acid (PLA) and vegetable parchment materials to Caffe Vergnano in Italy and Cap Mundo in France.
The company’s latest move is aimed at strengthening its position in Europe as a supplier of compostable infusion materials for single-serve coffee capsules.
The new Ahlstrom GreenCapsule top lid serves as a compostable and biodegradable alternative to the common aluminum lid that is used in coffee capsules.
It also combines optimum extraction for an espresso with low environmental foot print.
The company produces PLA-based materials, which can be also used in tea bags as well as other food packaging solutions, at its plant located in Chirnside, UK.
Every year, about ten billion single-serve coffee capsules are consumed in Europe, while less than 5% of the capsules are made from compostable and biodegradable materials at present.
Several coffee houses are looking for compostable alternatives in a bid to differentiate their offer.
During the past two years, the market for single-serve coffee capsules has grown at a double-digit rate globally.
