After over 20 years of intensive R&D, Qwarzo has introduced a groundbreaking silica-based mineral coating designed to replace plastic linings in single-use products. This patented innovation forms an exceptional barrier against water, grease, oxygen, and heat, effectively preserving the integrity of the container while safeguarding the flavor of the beverage within.
“Qwarzo protects the drink from the cup and the cup from the drink,” said Luca Panzeri, Qwarzo founder and CTO. “It enhances paper with resistance and food-safety features, without plastic or intentionally added microplastics or PFAS.”
The new Starbucks hot cup and lid, launched in May, is currently being rolled out across Europe. Developed in collaboration with Transcend Packaging, Metsä Board, and Qwarzo, this innovative takeaway solution eliminates both the internal plastic liner and single-use plastic lids. The cup is crafted from fully traceable cellulose fibers sourced from Northern Europe, while the lid is made from Qwarzo-coated pulp fiber, designed to maintain its shape even with hot liquids.
“We believe that innovation must be both invisible and impactful,” noted Panzeri. “The Starbucks partnership demonstrates that scalable, responsible solutions are not just theoretical — they’re being implemented now. More than a billion items, including ice cream spoons, coffee stirrers, coffee cups, plates, and cutlery, have been sold with Qwarzo coating.”
The Qwarzo product is not only home compostable but also recyclable with paper, which aligns seamlessly with existing waste management systems. This design eliminates the need for plastic separation during recycling, addressing a significant hurdle in traditional cup disposal.
Starbucks has announced that the new cup is now available in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, with plans to expand to the UK and Ireland by late 2025.
In the vending category, Lavazza Spain has adopted Qwarzo-coated cups for its public coffee vending machines, collaborating with Flo Group. Additionally, Flo Group is producing and distributing Qwarzo-coated cups for the German market alongside a prominent German coffee brand.
Grom, an Italian gelato brand owned by Unilever, was an early adopter of the Qwarzo technology through its paper spoons. Likewise, Venchi, a renowned Italian chocolate and ice cream company, has opted for Qwarzo-coated cutlery.
Qwarzo-coated products have received certification as home compostable from DIN CERTCO, are recyclable as paper, and meet the criteria to be exempt from the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Importantly, Qwarzo contains no intentionally added PFAS or microplastics.
In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, Qwarzo was awarded the Sustainability Leaders 2025 title from Il Corriere della Sera and Statista.
