NuZee gives pour over coffee a sustainable makeover in partnership with Huhtamaki Oyj

04 Jun 2019 --- Specialty coffee company NuZee is launching a fully recyclable packaging option for its single-serve, pour over coffee co-packing customers beginning in the second half of 2019. The company is launching its new solution embedded within an exclusive agreement with Huhtamaki Oyj, under which NuZee will use Huhtamaki’s next generation blueloop line of recyclable flexible packaging to manufacture the pouch that holds each single-serve pour over Drip Cup. Launched in April, the blueloop range builds on the standard materials that are widely recycled and will have an economically viable use after collection.

NuZee’s single-serve pour over coffee packaging solution consists of a customized box and a disposable filter with pre-measured premium coffee that is sealed within a nitrogen-flushed pouch. The customized box, coffee and filter are all recyclable; however, the pouch is not due to the nature of the films and coatings used to preserve the freshness of the coffee.

This is where Huhtamaki’s blueloop packaging comes in, as the sue of its film in the manufacture of the nitrogen-flushed pouch creates a 100 percent recyclable, zero landfill packaging solution that maintains the high-quality and freshness of the coffee. NuZee views this as a significant competitive advantage in the single serve coffee space.

“Sustainability has always been an important part of our corporate culture,” says Masa Higashida, NuZee’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we grow, we must continue to evolve and transform the principles of sustainability into practice. We believe that our agreement with Huhtamaki reflects this commitment and we are proud to offer this zero-landfill packaging option to our co-packing clients.”

NuZee’s Vista facility is the only currently operating and certified single-serve pour over coffee manufacturing and co-packing facility in the US. NuZee owns the exclusive North America rights to utilize the machinery necessary to manufacture this product. The company plans to open a new manufacturing hub in Plano, Texas that should be operational later this year.  

Blueloop solutions
The blueloop solutions involve innovative polyolefin structures to pack coffee, snacks, dry food, personal care as well as other fast-moving consumer products. The range also includes paper-based solutions to replace plastic packaging. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights at the time of its launch, Michael Hahl, Sustainability and Strategic Innovation Director at Huhtamaki, notes how important collaboration is for the company. 

“Collaboration is key. We engage with the full supply chain from resin providers to our customers and recyclers. Our closest focus is on product design and manufacturing. However, collecting, sorting and reusing the recycled material is all part of the blueloop perspective,” says Hahl. 

Huhtamaki also encourages food packers and brand owners to make recycling and pack material information much more visible on the pack. It will not only help consumers to recycle the packaging, but it can also build brand image, notes the company.

“We are convinced that future packaging needs to fit in a circular economy. There is also growing consumer interest and our customers are increasingly asking for recyclable solutions,” Hahl says.

Edited by Laxmi Haigh