Encapsulating sustainability: Tchibo and Berry unveil renewable PP coffee capsules

20 Jul 2022 --- Tchibo coffee company has partnered with Berry Global to develop PP coffee capsules made from renewable sources. The shift in material does not compete with the coffee’s flavor or functionality and improves the environmental sustainability of the Tchibo brand by reducing carbon emissions.

Coffee capsules are becoming increasingly popular around the world for their convenience and distinguished coffee experience. This collaboration to elevate the environmental sustainability of Tchibo’s Qbo coffee brand has resulted in the launch of a polymer capsule made from 70% bio-based raw materials, such as waste and residue oils and fats like used cooking oils.

The renewable resources used to create the PP polymers are the same grade as virgin PP, ensuring that customers will not notice or taste any difference.

According to a life cycle evaluation conducted by the Technical University of Berlin, Germany, converting the Qbo capsule material results in approximately 35% less CO2 emissions.

Marius-Konstantin Wiche, development manager of capsule and innovation at Tchibo, says the new capsules make the Qbo range – already containing sustainably grown Qbo coffee – “one of the most [environmentally] sustainable capsule systems on the market.”

Coffee capsules are becoming increasingly popular around the world for their convenience.Edging off emissions
The International Sustainability & Carbon (ISCC PLUS) system certifies the renewable materials supplied by a mass balance approach.

Mass balance certification allows the proportion of bio-based raw materials used in the manufacturing value chain to be mathematically assigned to the final product and marketed on the package.

Innova Market Insights found that nearly 35% of German consumers say that their purchase decisions are directly influenced by the reduced carbon footprint score on the packaging.

The ISCC PLUS certification provides full traceability throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to finished coffee capsules, and sustainability validation for raw materials.

Tasting a difference
Importantly, the company highlights that the renewable solution has the same quality and features as traditional ones, implying that the new capsules deliver the same performance and product experience. 

Furthermore, the renewable feedstock can be simply integrated into current production lines with minimal modifications required.

“We needed to ensure that the quality and taste of the Qbo coffee would not be affected,” confirms Wiche. “That’s why we focused on replacing the raw materials for the capsules, not the PP itself.” 

He explains that the renewable materials go into producing PP polymers with the same quality as virgin PP, ensuring that consumers won’t see or taste any difference.

Committed to circularity
Berry says it has combined its sustainability leadership in the selection of the right qualified raw materials with its technical skills for the efficient manufacture of capsules to accelerate the conversion to a more circular solution.Wiche said Tchibo ensured that the quality and taste of the coffee would not be affected.

The company’s expertise in design for circularity allows for multiple potential solutions to be developed for the future manufacture of coffee capsules, thanks to its ISCC PLUS certified site in Bremervörde, Germany. 

“We chose Berry for this project as they have experience with our product and hold the required ISCC PLUS certification to produce the capsules from renewable materials,” says Wiche. 

“The company’s knowledge of foil extrusion and thermoforming for our capsules is excellent and we also appreciate its in-house engineering and machining of related parts for our products.”

For Berry, the introduction of the new capsules supports its recently-announced commitment to achieve 30% circular plastics use across its fast-moving consumer goods packaging by 2030.

“Supporting our customers’ growing [environmental] sustainability commitments is a key priority as we plan for the future needs of a net-zero, circular economy,” says Jean-Marc Galvez, president of Berry’s consumer packaging international division. 

“Delivering the infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to design products for circularity is one of our core competencies,” he concludes.

By Mieke Meintjes