Coffee Waste Packaging Solutions

Paptic Ltd and Natural Indigo Finland have teamed up with Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Meira Oy, and Cabassi Oy to turn coffee waste into something useful, a natural ink for packaging. Specifically, the team developed a "biocolorant using side streams from roasted coffee production; this pigment was then used in a water-based ink, which was successfully printed on fiber-based Paptic® bags using flexographic printing technology."

This collaboration shows how food industry waste can be transformed into a renewable alternative to synthetic pigments, which are commonly made from fossil fuels. The printed bags use Paptic® material, which is recyclable and made from wood fibers, offering a more sustainable packaging option. Cabassi Oy helped ensure the ink could be printed effectively, while Meira Oy provided the coffee waste, and Tampere University offered research support.

Overall, the project is a strong example of the circular economy in action. Instead of throwing away organic waste, the team found a way to upcycle it into something valuable.

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