COFFEE FROM

Coffeefrom is an innovative social enterprise founded in Lombardy that bridges the gap between the circular economy, materials innovation, and social impact. Its mission is to transform a widely available waste product—used coffee grounds (SCG)—into an industrial, environmental, and community opportunity.

Every year, Europe produces over 6 million tons of coffee waste, more than 90% of which ends up in landfills. Coffeefrom addresses this critical issue by building a sustainable, entirely Made in Italy supply chain capable of converting this waste into next-generation bio-based materials.

Proprietary technology for transforming SCGs into new materials

Through a patented process and partnerships with key players in the industry, Coffeefrom develops:

• bio-based compounds containing up to 20% coffee;
• materials suitable for sectors such as automotive, household goods, tableware, rigid packaging, and giftware;
• solutions for injection molding and 3D printing, with
• applications that combine technical performance, natural aesthetics, and a lower environmental impact.

The startup recycles over 650 tons of SCG per year, integrating into circular plastic supply chains and reducing the use of fossil-based polymers.

An integrated, traceable supply chain that is 100% Made in Italy

Coffeefrom has built a comprehensive and collaborative value chain:

• Collection of coffee grounds from cafes in the Milan area.
• Processing in Vidigulfo (drying and grinding).
• Industrial compounding with compounding and analysis partners.
• Injection molding at Bear Plast.
• 3D printing at the Wasp Hub in Mantua.
• Advanced research with the Politecnico di Milano on the extraction and application of nanocellulose derived from coffee.

This integration enables the startup to offer a replicable and scalable model of industrial symbiosis based on the utilization of byproducts and continuous innovation.

Nanocellulose: The Next Frontier in Biomaterials

The patent developed by Coffeefrom for the extraction of nanocellulose from SCG opens up new technical and commercial possibilities:

• greater mechanical strength and stiffness;
• improved oxygen barrier properties for packaging applications;
• the ability to increase the percentage of agricultural waste in compounds;
• a significant reduction in virgin plastic;
• compatibility with traditional industrial compounding and molding processes.

Early partnerships include Fraunhofer IVV, VIBA, and The Compound Company to develop new masterbatches, barrier films, and printed prototypes.

Social impact: an inclusive supply chain

One of Coffeefrom’s defining features is its integration of workforce inclusion practices.
The startup partners with social enterprises to involve vulnerable individuals in the following activities:

• collection of coffee grounds;
• logistics;
• packaging.

This approach creates tangible social value and strengthens the community aspect of the project, demonstrating how innovation and inclusion can be integrated into the same business model.

Market and Growth Opportunities

Bioplastics for packaging represent a rapidly growing market, with a projected global value of over $50 billion by 2030 and strong European regulatory pressure to reduce virgin plastic, promote recyclability, and adopt bio-based materials (PPWR, SUP, EU framework on defossilization).

In this context, Coffeefrom positions itself as a supplier of materials with: high bio-based content, competitive technical performance, a traceable and sustainable supply chain, and the ability to rapidly prototype and scale up production.

Team

The startup is led by a team with expertise in entrepreneurship, industry, and science and technology:

• Laura Gallo – President and CEO
• Giancarlo Casari – Research & Development, Logistics
• Marco Bedogni – Partner, injection molding expert
• Sabina Bellione – Financial Advisor, Chair of the Global Advisory Committee
• Barbara Venturini – Administration
• Riccardo Aimerito – Legal Advisor
• Clelia Zardini – Fundraising
• Silvia Bruzzese – Logistics and Administration
• Maria Chierasco – Marketing

The circular economy that creates value

Coffeefrom is a prime example of the circular economy applied to biomaterials, combining:

• technological innovation (compounds and nanocellulose)
• reduction of organic waste
• integrated Italian industrial supply chain
• measurable social impact
• high-potential market applications

A project that demonstrates how even an everyday waste product like coffee can become an industrial resource with high added value.