Could there be innovation behind coffee grounds? And yet it can, according to two young Greek chemical engineers, who are bringing the circular economy to Greece in the coffee sector, connecting it to the cosmetics market and beyond!
Alexis Pantziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis, are co-founders of Coffe-Eco, a Startup that creates raw materials for cosmetics, bioplastics, biofuels, soil improvement materials, and even animal feed, utilizing coffee residues.
In fact, Coffee Island, the largest coffee chain in Greece with a network of 432 stores, entered into a partnership with Coffe-eco, which will lead to the creation of the first industrial unit in Southern Europe that processes and reuses leftover espresso coffee, for the preparation new products.
Mr. Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, together with Mr. Evangelos Liolios, founder of the company, acquired 30% of Coffe-eco through the company Nimbus Capital by investing funds of 400 thousand euros.
Coffee Island, remaining committed to the implementation of actions that strengthen its social, economic, and environmental footprint, announced yesterday at a press conference in the center of Athens, the business investment in the innovative company for collecting and processing espresso coffee residues, Coffe-Eco.
In its first year of operation, Coffe-Eco is projected to complete the processing of fifty (50) tons of coffee residues from Coffee Island coffee mills, which are intended for the production of raw materials for cosmetics, bioplastics, biofuels, and soil improvers. It is important to note that fifty (50) tons of coffee grounds correspond to nine (9) tons of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Circular economy in practice
The cooperation of the two companies will put the circular economy model into practice. Until today, the economic value of the coffee fruit was translated into beverages, with a specific production value chain. Through the new business partnership, the coffee value production chain is expanded, creating new products, which add value to the consumer and multiply the economic benefits of the fruit.
The two companies have already planned the opening of a new industrial unit for the processing and utilization of coffee residues in the Industrial Complex of Patras, the staffing of the existing Coffe-Eco team with young scientists, the development of innovative products from the processing of coffee residues related to the Energy industries (biological charcoal), Furniture (alternative material), Agriculture (natural fertilizer) and the expansion of the sales network of the new products that will arise in Greece and America.
“Together we will make the circular economy a reality, starting with our own product, from the leftover coffee from the Coffee Island coffee roasters,” said the chain’s managing director, Mr. Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, during yesterday’s press conference.
Bio Organic EUROCERT certification
At the same time, Coffee Island, operating responsibly, announces that it has received the Bio Organic EUROCERT certification for the production of organic coffee in its privately owned coffee processing and storage facilities in Patras.
This certification serves the Sustainable Development Strategy adopted by the company and allows it to emphasize the selection and utilization of ethical and sustainable raw materials for the creation of its final products.
Included in this context are codes such as the new Single Estate Arabica COLOMBIA ORGANIC which is selected from small Colombian farms participating in Coffee Island’s long-standing Direct Trade contract farming program.
The statements of the protagonists of Deal
Alexis Panziaros CEO and Co-Founder of Coffe-Eco said: “Today’s news is a vote of confidence in the potential and vision of Coffe-Eco from a fresh and established Greek company. The partnership with Coffee Island will enable us to follow a structured business plan that will allow us – with sufficient capital – to develop our commercial activity in Greece, Europe, and other international markets”.
To the question of Business Review Greece, if the circular economy has a profit according to their own experience and knowledge, Alexis Panziaros stated: “To answer this question we will have to redefine profit. Obviously, in order to be active in the long term, a business must have a financial profit, but we don’t stop there. Profit for us is a factor equation that includes impact on society and the environment. At the end of the day, if you are not good with the environment that provides you with the raw materials and the society that provides you consumers, you will never be able to have a sustainable long-term financial gain.”
Marios Vlachogiannis, Production Manager and Co-Founder of Coffe-Eco added: “It is clear that by adopting circular practices, the value of raw materials increases and new products are created. This is exactly what the new coffee grounds industrial processing plant we are starting will do.”
Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, said: “The history, success, and footprint of Coffee Island become meaningful only when we create work that benefits society and when we build new activities that keep Greek innovative minds in our country. We are happy to invest in Coffe-Eco, because together we will make the circular economy a reality, starting from our own product, from the coffee residues of the Coffee Island coffee roasters. Together we are creating the first industrial plant for the processing and utilization of coffee residues in Southern Europe, a plant intended for the manufacture of new raw material products in the sectors of dermo-cosmetics, energy, furniture, and agriculture. At the same time, the Bio-Organic EUROCERT certification we received enables us to manage sustainable raw materials, showing in practice our dedication to supporting the societies in which we operate, to good environmental practices, and to the high quality of our products.”
About Coffe-Eco
Coffe-Eco was started in 2016 at the University of Patras, in the chemical engineering school, by Alexis Panziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis who met in an innovation competition. Alexis in his PhD research was studying the processing and reuse of espresso coffee grounds and Marios won the innovation competition on the same topic.
The two set to work to start the company, processing scraps and making new products from them. Today, after three years of research and development in collaboration with the Laboratory of Transport Phenomena and Physical Hydrodynamics of the School of Chemical Engineering, the company sells in Greece, France, and the USA and envisions putting the circular economy into practice, causing a sustainable change in the food chain and for this, it starts from the upcycling of coffee residues, one of the most popular beverages worldwide.
Among its next steps is to enter the market of finished cosmetic products with its vision of repositioning the active substances from food by-products in the microbiome of the skin.
Coffe-Eco has been distinguished in the European awards EIT Food, NBG Seed, and in the global competition V-Label as Best B2B Vegan Innovative Ingredient. At the same time, today its new products are already available in the American continent.
At the same time, it is certified with cosmos natural and is the first Greek company to be a member of the Upcycle Food Association of America. The company’s products, which target the cosmetic market, are certified as “friendly to the skin’s microbiome”, which enhances the health of the skin in a more efficient way than conventional cosmetics.
At the same time, Coffe-Eco has also created its own line of personal care products, under the brand name “Aura Skin”. Through auraskin.gr the consumer can order the products he wants.
Right now, Coffee Ground Lip Balm is available, rich in antioxidants and exfoliating properties, while helping to reduce waste and create a greener future. As Alexis Panziaros told us, in addition to the Lip Balm, they will also release other products, such as moisturizing creams.
About Coffee Island
Coffee Island started in 1999 in Patras and in its third decade of operation is the No. 1 coffee chain in Greece and the “Best Coffee Chain in Southern Europe 2022” (Allegra European Awards). The network of 484 stores is spread over 52 prefectures and 110 cities in Greece, but also in 55 locations abroad (Cyprus, London, Switzerland, Romania, Canada, Egypt & the United Arab Emirates) while coffee roaster products are also available in organized retail.
With a dedication to tomorrow, it continues to support and create Sustainable Development actions for Man, Society, and the Environment together with coffee growers, coffee mill owners, and consumers. It practically helps local communities, reduces its environmental footprint, and is committed to quality and safe products.
It supports direct cooperation (Direct Trade) with producers or cooperatives in coffee-producing countries. It has its own coffee processing and storage facilities, where 1400 tons of coffee are processed and roasted per year. It employs 220 workers, and cooperates with 513 entrepreneurs through a franchise system, while over 3,500 trained baristas and distributors work in its network. It contributes fiscally to the national economy, adds value to Greek society, and gives development opportunities to 817 cooperating Greek companies-suppliers.
