Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1539374
18 STiR coffee and tea | 2025 Quarter 3 Autumn (Sep/Oct/Nov) T By Bhavi Patel The coffee and tea industry is transitioning from traditional plastic packaging to innovative, sustainable solutions that protect both product quality and the planet. Companies are developing breakthrough technologies to meet growing environmental demands. Packaging industry leaders reveal how cutting-edge innovations solve the challenge of preserving delicate flavors while satisfying eco-conscious consumers. oday's coffee and tea consumers demand sustainability. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), eco-friendly tea packaging products were valued at around $820 million in 2024 and are projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. At the same time, FMI attributes the growth in the coffee bags market (valued at $649 million in 2024 and expected to grow to $1.11 billion by 2035) to "the rising need for convenient and sustainable coffee packaging solutions." No longer just a trend, sustainable packaging is now an industry imperative. The Problem With Yesterday's Packaging Traditional packaging methods have long failed to address the dual challenges of product preservation and environmental responsibility. Prashant Vachhani, director at Swiss Pac Pvt Ltd, explains: "Traditional packaging methods, such as using locally available plastic bags for filling, offer a basic and low-cost solution for storing prod- ucts. However, these plastic bags typically lack proper barrier properties, making them permeable to both oxygen and water vapor." Hanuman Jain, CEO of Ecotact, takes this critique further: "Traditional packag- ing for green/roasted coffee and tea has, by and large, ignored the protection from external oxygen and moisture for a longer shelf life of the product in a sustainable way. Most conventional options either don't preserve the delicate flavors and aromas effectively — especially for specialty coffee and tea — or, if they do, they end up being non-sustainable due to the use of complex materials that are hard to recycle." The consequences are clear: ac- celerated spoilage, microbial growth, and physical and chemical changes that drastically reduce product shelf life and overall quality, all while contributing to environmental degradation. Brewing Innovation: Latest Technological Breakthroughs The sustainable packaging landscape is evolving rapidly, with breakthrough tech- nologies addressing both preservation and environmental concerns. Code 4 and Code 5 plastics have long been favored for use in the food and beverage industry for their safety, flexibility, and heat-resis- tant qualities. However, they were not al- ways accepted by US recycling programs because they were hard to recycle, and it was not cost-effective to do so. Current research is focused on transforming the recycling process in an attempt to minimize the environmental impact of these plastics. It includes im- proving sorting and cleaning techniques, as well as exploring alternative recycling methods, such as chemical recycling. Packaging companies are going all out in their research and development efforts to produce Code 4 and Code 5 recyclable pouches, supporting a circular economy approach. "To preserve the freshness of roasted coffee, we also incorporate one- way degassing valves in our pouches," notes Vachhani. "These valves allow gas- From Waste to Wonder: Packaging Goes Green New, fully compostable, odorless biomaterials made from 100% organic waste are revolutionizing to-go beverage packaging by replacing plastic cups and lids. Photo credit: AlterPacks Companies such as Swiss Pac (above) now incorporate new sustainable materials and technology that prevent pouch damage, while maintaining extended product shelf life and quality. Photo credit: Swiss Pac