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Novelis expands strip capacity for coffee capsules

Novelis is investing more than USD30m to build a new continuous annealing line at its plant in Plettenberg-Ohle, Germany.

Novelis is investing more than USD30m to build a new continuous annealing line at its plant in Plettenberg-Ohle, Germany.

The additional line will double the plant’s capacity for aluminium used in the production of coffee capsules, a market that is growing in response to increased demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

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Many coffee brands choose aluminium over plastic to produce long life, flavour-fresh coffee capsules. Aluminium offers unique barrier properties and protects the freshness and aromas of capsulated coffee from moisture, light and air better than other materials. In addition, aluminium is a perfect circular material because it can be recycled again and again, without losing its properties.

Novelis Ohle supplies the global market for aluminium coffee capsules

Today, the starter material for most of the world’s aluminium coffee capsules comes from Novelis’ Ohle plant. This investment will further strengthen the company’s leadership in high-recycled-content packaging. Expected to begin operations in spring 2024, construction preparations will commence upon receipt of final government approval.

“The investment demonstrates our commitment to serve as a trusted partner for our food and packaging industry customers and create more sustainable solutions for consumers,” said Emilio Braghi, president of Novelis Europe. “Increasing the use of recycled aluminium helps us reduce the use of natural resources, strengthen the circular economy and thus limit climate change. Our sustainability commitments include a 30 % carbon footprint reduction by 2026 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner, thereby helping our customers reach their sustainability goals as well.”

Coffee capsules made from 80 % recycling aluminium

Together with its partners along the value chain, Novelis is developing innovative, low-carbon aluminium solutions and creating recycling loops for production and end-of-life scrap. This enables the company to produce innovative alloys, such as those used in the production of coffee capsules made from more than 80 % recycled aluminium – confirmed by an independent international certification body.

In Nachterstedt, Germany, Novelis operates the world’s largest, most technologically advanced aluminium recycling centre, with an annual capacity of 400,000 t. The starting material for coffee capsules is cast in Nachterstedt from used aluminium and then processed in Ohle to meet capsule producers’ most demanding product specifications.

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