Novelis, Nespresso launch recycled-content coffee capsule

Novelis Inc., a large aluminum rolling and recycling company based in Atlanta, has announced that it has partnered with Nespresso, Switzerland, to launch a coffee capsule made of 80 percent recycled aluminum. According to a news release from Nespresso, Novelis’ alloy has “deep-drawing properties” to meet the coffee capsule market’s need for demanding product specifications, and the alloy supports Nespresso’s continued circularity journey by minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse of product materials.

“This achievement is an important step in helping Nespresso reach its sustainability goals,” says Stephen Boney, vice president of Specialties at Novelis Europe. “We have a long-standing partnership with Nespresso that is focused on implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes throughout the supply chain. As such, we have increased the amount of recycled aluminum content in coffee capsules and developing additional end-of-life recycling solutions for greater circularity.”

Comprised of a thinner aluminum foil, the new capsules contain 9.2 percent less aluminum and are 8 percent lighter. The foil protects freshness and aromas of high-quality coffee and provides a strong barrier against oxygen, light and humidity. Nespresso reports that the foil is infinitely recyclable and requires less energy to produce than virgin aluminum. 

Jérôme Pérez, Nespresso’s head of sustainability, says, “We are constantly challenging ourselves to improve the sustainability and circularity of our operations, including the way we source, use and recycle material. Reaching 80 percent recycled aluminum in our capsules is a significant milestone and something we have worked hard to achieve with Novelis and other partners along the value chain.”

In recent years, Novelis says it has developed many new alloys that are easily recyclable and invested in technologically advanced recycling facilities that have increased recycled product content from 33 percent to 60 percent across its global operations.