A pioneering Finnish collaboration has transformed coffee waste into sustainable packaging ink, demonstrating how bio-based innovations can reduce the environmental impact of printed packaging. This project—uniting Tampere University with local industry partners—highlights the untapped potential of everyday waste streams in the circular packaging economy.

The innovation centers on extracting colorants and carbon from used coffee grounds, which are then refined into functional pigments suitable for ink formulations. These bio-inks can be applied to corrugated cardboard and other fiber-based materials, offering a renewable and biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based printing substances.

The research team, working within the framework of Finland’s BioColour and ExpandFibre innovation programs, identified coffee waste as a rich source of natural compounds, including polyphenols and carbonized particles. By optimizing drying, grinding, and thermal treatment processes, they succeeded in creating a printable pigment that retains its properties across standard packaging production lines.

"Our goal was to find industrial applications for bio-based materials that are often discarded," explains Dr. Tuula Höyhtyä, one of the lead researchers. "Coffee waste is generated globally in huge volumes, so repurposing it can make a real impact—both environmentally and economically."

The implications for sustainable packaging are far-reaching. Packaging print is an often-overlooked source of environmental burden, as most commercial inks contain heavy metals, solvents, or microplastics that can hinder recyclability. By replacing these with inks derived from organic waste, manufacturers can enhance the overall eco-profile of their packaging while promoting biodegradability and safer recycling.

This development also opens the door for decentralized, small-scale ink production, particularly in regions with abundant organic waste streams. Coffee shops, food manufacturers, or municipalities could eventually become local pigment producers—creating a value loop from waste to product.

Industrial testing has shown promising results. The coffee-based inks demonstrated good adhesion and visual quality on cardboard substrates, especially for graphics and decorative branding. While the pigment’s color range is currently limited to earthy tones, researchers are already exploring methods to expand the palette using other bio-sources such as onion skins, beetroot waste, and forestry byproducts.

“This is not just about replacing ink—it's about redesigning the way we think about packaging materials and the ingredients that compose them,” says project partner VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

As regulatory pressure increases on packaging-related emissions and microplastic contamination, alternatives like these are gaining momentum. With consumer interest in sustainability at an all-time high, brands are actively seeking low-impact materials that also offer a compelling backstory. Coffee-ink packaging can thus become both an environmental solution and a marketing asset.

Next steps for the project include scaling production and integrating the ink into commercial packaging lines, with potential pilots in retail and foodservice sectors. Researchers are also collaborating with design institutions to develop branding systems that reflect the natural origin of the inks—pushing packaging beyond function into the realm of storytelling and sustainability education.

This Finnish innovation sends a clear message to the global packaging industry: waste is not just a problem—it’s a resource waiting to be transformed.