Can seaweed save us from billions of plastic-lined coffee cups?

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London-based Notpla has landed €4 million in Horizon Europe funding to tackle one of the food industry's most stubborn sustainability problems: the humble coffee cup. Despite appearing paper-based, most disposable cups hide a thin plastic lining that makes them nearly impossible to recycle or compost. Notpla's solution? Ditch the plastic entirely.

The company is bringing together researchers, biomass suppliers, and manufacturers from across Europe to develop a fully natural, home-compostable cup range that can withstand hot liquids without any synthetic coatings. It's a tall order — coffee cups need to be waterproof, heat-resistant, and durable enough for on-the-go consumption, all while breaking down safely in a backyard compost bin.

From lab to latte

Notpla has already put its Gen 1 espresso cup through real-world testing at The Earthshot Prize event in Rio de Janeiro and is piloting versions designed to be completely free of microplastics. Meanwhile, Allianz Stadium in London became the UK's first venue to adopt Notpla's plastic-free drinks carrier, and Imperial College London recently started using the company's seaweed-based packaging across its campus outlets.

The EU-funded project's first phase will focus on material testing, scaling production, and conducting full lifecycle assessments — ensuring that what works in the lab can actually work at the scale of millions of morning coffees.

With 14 partners spanning the entire supply chain — from agricultural waste processors to end-of-life testing facilities — Notpla is betting that collaboration will finally make the plastic-free coffee cup a reality. If they succeed, your next cappuccino could come in a cup you can toss in your garden.

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