NEXE Innovations Inc., a compostable and innovative materials company, has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to combat plastic waste and promote sustainability. The company recently announced that its fully compostable, single-use beverage pod and associated components have successfully met the rigorous compostability requirements set by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).
The BPI Certification is a third-party verification program administered by the BPI, a leading North American authority on compostable products and packaging. It serves to protect consumers against false claims and greenwashing while ensuring that certified products meet the stringent standards for compostability. To obtain BPI Certification, products must adhere to the ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 standards, which include proper disintegration without leaving harmful substances, biodegradability in an industrial composting facility, and the ability to support healthy plant growth in the resulting compost or soil amendment. Additionally, BPI Certification requires products to be free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
NEXE’s fully compostable beverage pod has not only met these demanding requirements but has also showcased several competitive features that are protected by patents. These features include innovative technology that allows for greater volume per pod while delivering an unparalleled “pour-over” coffee experience. NEXE believes that these unique attributes set its product apart from the competition and position it as the preferred choice for premium coffee brands seeking sustainable alternatives.
The journey to develop a fully compostable single-use beverage pod has been challenging, as it required addressing the stringent requirements of water resistance, pressure endurance, and heat resilience. However, NEXE’s success in overcoming these complexities has provided invaluable insights that will enable the company to swiftly develop and introduce new, groundbreaking products to the market.
Ash Guglani, President of NEXE Innovations, expressed the company’s commitment to providing customers with a fully compostable, single-use pod option without compromising performance or price. Through improvements in pod performance and in-house manufacturing capabilities, NEXE aims to empower its customers in the co-manufacturing and private label market segments to differentiate their products as environmentally friendly and comply with increasingly strict regulations.
The market potential for compostable single-use coffee pods is significant. In 2022, the single-use plastic and aluminum pods market was estimated to be over 80 billion units, with compostable pods accounting for only 4% of the total market. However, there has been a notable increase in demand for compostable options, with projections indicating a threefold increase by 2020. This translates to approximately 3.5 billion compostable pods. With its in-house manufacturing capacity of around 500 million pods at its facility in Windsor, Ontario, NEXE believes it is well-positioned to gain a strong market presence in this fragmented space.
Composting offers various benefits in the transition to a greener economy. By diverting organic materials from landfills and facilitating their transformation into nutritional soil amendments, composting helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Additionally, compost enhances soil quality, aiding drought resistance, reducing soil erosion, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
NEXE Innovations Inc., based in British Columbia, Canada, is a leader in innovative compostable materials technology. The company’s patented fully-compostable, single-serve coffee pods, designed for use in existing major coffee machines, have established NEXE as a prominent player in the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions.
With its BPI Certification and commitment to driving change in the industry, NEXE Innovations is well-equipped to meet the growing demand for compostable materials and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Image provided by NEXE Innovations Inc.
