Qwarzo Accelerates European Expansion with Major Coffee Brands Adoption

Qwarzo's European Expansion in Food Packaging

Qwarzo, an Italian company renowned for its next-generation materials tailored for the packaging and food industries, is taking significant strides in expanding its footprint across Europe. Recently, prominent global coffee brands, including Starbucks and Lavazza, have adopted Qwarzo's innovative technology, which is anticipated to redefine standards in sustainable packaging.

Founded by Luca Panzeri, Qwarzo has dedicated over two decades to research and development, culminating in a groundbreaking mineral-based coating that effectively replaces traditional plastic liners in disposable products. This patented coating forms a formidable barrier against moisture, fats, oxygen, and heat, thereby maintaining the integrity of the containers without compromising on the taste of the beverages inside.

"We believe that innovation should be both invisible and impactful," states Panzeri. The company has already sold over one billion items featuring its Qwarzo® coating, including ice cream spoons, coffee stirrers, and disposable cups. The technology not only elevates the paper's attributes with enhanced resistance and food safety features but also avoids the use of intentionally added microplastics or PFAS.

One of the most notable applications has been the new Starbucks cup with a lid, which was launched in May 2025 and is now rolling out across Europe. This take-away solution, developed in collaboration with Transcend Packaging, Metsä Board, and Qwarzo, replaces both the internal liner and single-use plastic lids. The cup is crafted from fully traceable cellulose fibers sourced from Northern Europe, while the lid is composed of Qwarzo®-coated cellulose fibers, providing sufficient strength to withstand hot liquids.

Crucially, the product is compostable at home and can be recycled alongside paper products, seamlessly aligning with existing waste management systems. This innovative construction alleviates the need to separate the cup from plastic components during the recycling process, which has been a significant challenge in traditional cup disposals.

Starbucks has confirmed that the new cups are now available in several countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, with plans for expansion to the UK and Ireland by the end of 2025. Vincent Mooji, Director of Circpack by Veolia, commented on the coated Qwarzo® cup, highlighting that this innovation facilitates processing within current recycling infrastructures, thereby aiding real progress in reducing plastic waste while boosting material recovery.

In parallel, Lavazza Spain, in partnership with Flo Group, has introduced Qwarzo®-coated cups for its public coffee vending machines in Spain. This demonstrates the adaptability of Qwarzo's technology in automated vending systems with high volume needs. Additionally, Flo Group is actively producing and distributing Qwarzo®-coated cups for the German market in collaboration with one of the country's most recognized coffee brands.

Moreover, Grom, an Italian premium gelato brand owned by Unilever, was one of the first to implement Qwarzo® with its paper spoons, proving the cross-industry versatility of this innovative technology. Venchi, the famous Italian chocolate and ice cream brand, has also made purchases of Qwarzo®-coated utensils.

All products featuring Qwarzo® coating have been certified as home compostable by DIN CERTCO, recyclable as paper, and exempt from the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive. Importantly, Qwarzo® does not contain intentionally added PFAS or microplastics, achieving performance without compromising taste, safety, or recyclability.

Qwarzo's innovative efforts have not gone unnoticed; it has received numerous accolades, including the 'Sustainability Leaders 2025' title from Il Corriere della Sera and Statista, as well as prestigious awards such as the Semi Innovation Award and the Tocco Future Materials Award.

With an exciting future ahead, Qwarzo continues to champion sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic coatings, focusing on a greener, healthier planet through innovative packaging solutions. For more information, visit Qwarzo's official website.