Leading packaging manufacturer ALPLA is announcing a breakthrough in the world of coffee capsules: a biodegradable Nespresso-compatible capsule that is suitable for home composting, developed in close cooperation with German materials expert Golden Compound.
Made from Golden Compound green, a non-GMO organic material incorporating ground natural fibres derived from sunflower seed shells, the new capsule and filter fleece are completely biodegradable in the garden compost within a maximum of six months. ALPLA supplies the capsule and the garden-compostable lid.

The very first user is Amann Kaffee from Vorarlberg, Austria. The coffee roaster is presenting the new product as part of the ‘Gustav – fair for consumer culture’ trade fair in the Dornbirn trade fair district, October 19-21. Golden Compound will also be represented at the Fakuma trade fair for the plastics industry in Friedrichshafen (Hall B4, Booth 4114) from 16 October.

Golden Compound uses sunflower seed shells as a reinforcing material. They are a by-product of the food industry and not in competition with food production. Composting the capsule generates humus, and the coffee grounds contain valuable plant nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

The material also has excellent characteristics, as confirmed by numerous certificates: the oxygen barrier is very similar to conventional plastics such as PP-EVOH-PP. The monolayer coffee capsule is aroma-proof without outer packaging. Furthermore, Golden Compound green is certified in line with the standards ‘OK compost HOME’ and ‘OK biodegradable SOIL’ from TÜV.

http://www.alpla.com, http://www.golden-compound.com