Sustainable coffee capsules | Biobased & compostable in the circular economy

Give Back What You Take: Sustainable Coffee Capsules in the Circular Economy

ATI's sustainable coffee capsules are a perfect example of the circular economy. They are made from bio-based materials, are fully compostable, and eventually return to nature. We call this cradle-to-cradle: a product that is environmentally friendly during production and provides a valuable contribution to new raw materials after use.

From Sugar Plant to Coffee Capsule

The foundation of our capsules lies in nature. We use bio-based material from plants such as sugarcane and sugar beets. The glucose from these crops is processed into polyesters. These polyesters are heat-resistant, flexible, and – most importantly – compostable. This creates an environmentally friendly coffee capsule that is practical to use and has a positive impact on the environment.

What Does Compostable Mean?

There are different forms of compostability:

• Industrial Composting – Our current capsules comply with the European standard EN 13432. After use, they can be disposed of with organic waste, where they will fully break down within 90 days in a municipal composting facility.

• Home Composting – Here, consumers can compost the capsules themselves in their compost bin or heap. The speed depends on factors such as humidity and temperature.

Currently, our bio-based coffee capsules are industrially compostable. But we are working hard on the next step: coffee capsules that are also home compostable.

A Cup of Coffee with a Greener Future

With ATI's compostable coffee capsules, you directly contribute to a more sustainable world. You enjoy delicious coffee, while nature reclaims the materials to grow new raw materials. This way, we close the loop together: from plant, to capsule, back to plant.