A sustainable cup designed to reduce environmental waste is already making its way across Europe.
The new coffee cup, developed by Caerphilly-based Transcend Packaging, is the result of a collaboration with Starbucks and is currently being manufactured at the company’s Ystrad Mynach headquarters.
It is the first coffee cup of its kind to be produced at scale using this technology.
Jo Stevens, secretary of state for Wales, visited the site to check on the progress. She said: "Transcend Packaging are a fantastic Welsh success story.
"Through their partnership with Starbucks they have successfully grown their exports and are providing more good jobs that put money in the pockets of local people.
"The UK Government is backing innovative businesses like Transcend, via our investment in Cardiff Capital Region, which will help us achieve our mission to create economic growth in every part of Wales and the UK."
Traditional takeaway coffee cups are difficult to recycle due to their plastic lining, which must be separated from the paper.
Transcend and Starbucks have replaced the plastic lining with a mineral-based coating and swapped plastic lids for fibre alternatives.
The cups are widely recyclable and home compostable, offering an environmentally friendly option for customers without a reusable cup.
Channing Nuss, director of corporate affairs and sustainability and co-founder of Transcend, said: "This project marks a defining moment for Transcend and manufacturing innovation in Wales.
"With CCR’s Innovation Investment Capital support, we’ve delivered a breakthrough in paper cup technology that proves how innovation and collaboration can drive global change."
Production is already underway at Transcend’s Ystrad Mynach site, which employs nearly 200 people.
Deliveries have begun to Starbucks locations across Europe.
Adam Turner, director of sustainability strategy and compliance at Starbucks, said: "I’m proud to be part of the team that brought Starbucks’ new certified compostable and widely recyclable cup to markets in Europe – a meaningful milestone in our ongoing journey to deliver more sustainable innovations while elevating the customer experience.
"I’m thankful for our partnership with Transcend Packaging and the dedication of everyone involved to make this happen."
The new cup will soon be coming to the UK.
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