#Starbucks #Lavazza #Qwarzo

Qwarzo's Revolutionary Expansion in European Markets

Qwarzo, a pioneering Italian company situated in Brescia, is making major strides in the European market with its ground-breaking packaging solutions. Established as a leader in next-generation materials, Qwarzo specializes in creating high-performance and sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic coatings.

Transforming Food Packaging

The heart of Qwarzo's innovation rests on its signature technology—a mineral-based silica coating that can be applied to various materials such as paper, textiles, and metals. This proprietary coating not only ensures water, grease, and heat resistance but also preserves the recyclability and compostability of the materials, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional plastic coatings.

Luca Panzeri, the founder and CTO of Qwarzo, emphasizes the blend of invisibility and impact in their innovation, stating, “The Starbucks partnership illustrates that scalable, responsible solutions are not just theoretical—they are unfolding in real-time.” This collaboration between Qwarzo and Starbucks has already seen over a billion products, including ice cream spoons, coffee stirrers, and takeaway coffee cups, undergoing a transformative change through Qwarzo’s coatings.

Collaborating with Industry Giants

One of the most notable successes in this venture is the recent launch of an innovative Starbucks hot cup and lid that replaced both plastic linings and lids, primarily focusing on environmental responsibility. In alliance with companies like Transcend Packaging and Metsä Board, Qwarzo’s technology has crafted a takeaway solution produced from 100% traceable cellulose fibers sourced from Northern Europe. The lid is made of Qwarzo®-coated pulp fiber which remains robust even with hot beverages, while the full design encourages home composting and enhances recyclability—simplifying the recycling process by eliminating the need for plastic separation.

Starbucks has begun rolling out this cup across various European countries, including Italy, Germany, and France, with plans to reach the UK and Ireland by late 2025. According to Vincent Mooji, director at Circpack by Veolia, this innovation represents significant progress in plastic waste reduction by facilitating smoother recycling processes.

In a similar vein, Lavazza Spain is utilizing Qwarzo®-coated cups within its vending machines, showcasing the adaptable and versatile applications of Qwarzo's technologies even in high-capacity automated systems. This partnership marks a significant milestone in demonstrating how Qwarzo's innovations bridge various industries while also catering to specific market needs.

Certifying Environmental Impact

Products featuring the Qwarzo® coating boast certifications for home compostability from DIN CERTCO and can seamlessly be recycled with paper—their attributes exempting them from the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Qwarzo ensures no intentionally added PFAS or microplastics are present, maintaining the integrity of taste and safety without hampering recyclability.

Beyond product innovation, Qwarzo has garnered numerous accolades, including the reputable