Huhtamaki, a global sustainable packaging solutions provider, started an exclusive partnership with one of the largest coffee brands, Nespresso, in early 2021 to innovate a sustainable home-compostable paper-based coffee capsule. The powerful collaboration, used a lean approach to product and process development, accelerating the time to market in record time. Huhtamaki's proprietary high-precision technology allows wood fibers to be molded into intricate shapes with high-precision tolerances to a fraction of a millimeter. 

The home compostable paper-based coffee capsule was launched by Nespresso in France, November 21, 2022.  It is a significant development in innovation for the circular economy and a leap forward for consumers around the world.

Key details: 

• Huhtamaki's proprietary high-precision technology for smooth molded fiber transforms wood pulp fibers into high performance packing solutions which can be applied to a myriad of different consumer applications.

• The proprietary high-precision technology for smooth molded fiber is part of the company’s blueloop brand promise, reflecting its 2030 sustainability ambition.

• The home compostable paper-based Nespresso coffee capsules were first launched in Paris, France, on 21^stNovember 2022. The capsules will initially be piloted with consumers in France and Switzerland in spring 2023 before being introduced more widely. 

• The paper-based coffee capsules are made from wood fiber, responsibly sourced from European forests. They have been independently certified by TÜV – as home compostable and compostable in food waste collection schemes. 

• The coffee capsules protect coffee quality and freshness while offering the required functionality that delivers the high-quality coffee for which the brand is known – with no compromise on the taste experience.

"We are delighted to have partnered with Nespresso on a unique home compostable paper-based capsule designed for circularity. This breakthrough innovation is the result of combining fiber, a natural renewable material, with our proprietary high precision technology, creating a sustainable alternative for Nespresso lovers. The capsules will be produced in line with our blueloop brand promise, which incorporates our commitment to design for circularity, to be operationally carbon neutral, and to responsibly source our materials in line with our 2030 strategy," says Charles Héaulmé, president and chief executive officer, Huhtamaki. 

Huhtamaki is committed to delivering sustainable packaging solutions with a positive impact on the environment. It is pro-actively working with innovative consumer brands to redesign the future of packaging. This partnership's success demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can deliver for the circular economy, and tackle climate action by becoming carbon neutral while not forgetting other environmental and social aspects of sustainability.

Héaulmé further adds, "We see this technology as a paradigm shift in how we can use renewable wood fiber in complex food packaging. This innovation opens new avenues when it comes to the use of fiber in food packaging. Huhtamaki’s high-precision technology means we can capture the very clear sustainability benefits of renewable wood fiber in an expanding array of packaging solutions that offer superior functionality, keep food safe and maintain its quality."

"We see the development of this technology as a game changer milestone in sustainable packaging – and not only because the sustainability and food conservation features, but due to the new use case possibilities. We believe we will be able to replace for example caps and closures, which are today made of plastic or metals. Other potential applications are trays or containers that require lids that seal directly to the tray and are able to open/re-close, he concludes."