Following three years of research and development, Nespresso is to launch paper-based coffee capsules but will retain its existing aluminium pods.
To be launched in France and Switzerland initially from Spring 2023, the paper-based coffee capsules should also be launched in other European countries in the same year.
The capsules are home compostable and use a biodegradable layer to separate the coffee from the paper and to prevent the coffee from going off.
Nespresso intends to continue offering its aluminium capsules, as it says these are 100% recyclable.
Its head of global R&D Center for Systems and Coffee Machines Julia Lauricella said: “Our 40 years of experience in coffee systems allowed us, together with the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences, to develop a home compostable paper-based capsule, retro-compatible with the Nespresso Original machines, that meets and exceeds the high expectations consumers have of Nespresso in terms of protecting the coffee’s aromas and taste.
“We combined a high-precision paper pulp forming process with a biodegradable layer for protection against oxidation to preserve our coffee in transport, storage and during the high-pressure extraction in our machines.”
