Qwarzo, an Italian materials innovator, is expanding across Europe with its sustainable, plastic-free coating technology, now adopted by brands like Starbucks, Lavazza, and Unilever’s Grom. Qwarzo® enhances food packaging with durability and recyclability, is compostable, and has earned numerous sustainability awards, positioning it as a leader in responsible packaging innovation.
Qwarzo, an Italian innovator in advanced food and packaging materials, is rapidly expanding its footprint across Europe, driven by the adoption of its sustainable technology by leading international brands including Starbucks and Lavazza. Founded on the principle that innovation should be both subtle and transformative, Qwarzo offers a patented mineral-based coating that eliminates the need for plastic linings in disposable food and beverage containers.
Luca Panzeri, Qwarzo's Founder and CTO, stated, “Scalable, responsible solutions are no longer hypothetical—they are a reality.” His comments came as Qwarzo announced that more than one billion items—ranging from coffee cups and lids to cutlery, stirrers, and ice cream spoons—have already been sold with Qwarzo® coatings.
Developed over two decades of research, Qwarzo® uses a silica-based mineral barrier that resists water, grease, heat, and oxygen, while maintaining the flavor integrity of the contents. The coating enhances paper-based items with durability and food safety, all without plastic, PFAS, or intentionally added microplastics. As Panzeri puts it, “Qwarzo® protects the drink from the cup and the cup from the drink.”
A flagship example of the technology is Starbucks’ new hot cup and lid, launched in May 2025. Created in collaboration with Transcend Packaging, Metsä Board, and Qwarzo, the cup uses certified cellulose fibers from Northern Europe and a Qwarzo®-coated fiber lid that remains structurally stable with hot liquids. Fully recyclable with paper and home compostable, the cup can be processed without separating plastic components—a major hurdle in traditional recycling. The cup is already in use across several European countries, with the UK and Ireland rollout planned by the end of 2025.
Starbucks emphasized the environmental impact of this innovation, with Vincent Mooji, Director of Circpack by Veolia, noting that it “enables more effective recycling and reduces plastic waste.”
In the vending machine sector, Lavazza Spain has adopted Qwarzo®-coated cups for public coffee vending, in partnership with Flo Group. The German market is also being supplied through a collaboration between Flo Group and a well-known national coffee brand.
Qwarzo®'s reach continues across other food service sectors. Unilever’s premium gelato brand Grom was one of the first to adopt Qwarzo®-coated paper spoons. Similarly, Italian confectionery brand Venchi uses Qwarzo®-coated cutlery. All Qwarzo®-coated products are certified home compostable by DIN CERTCO, recyclable as paper, and free from the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive restrictions.
Recognized for its sustainable innovation, Qwarzo has earned accolades such as “Sustainability Leaders 2025” and several awards for eco-friendly materials and design.
