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Published on 20 March 2026
In January 2026, Notpla celebrated another major milestone: the company secured €4 million in Horizon Europe funding to address one of the most overlooked sources of plastic pollution – the disposable coffee cup. The three-year research and innovation project aims to redesign the coffee cup at its source, focusing on materials, performance, and end-of-life impact.
A Problem Hiding in Plain Sight
Disposable coffee cups are often perceived as a minor convenience, yet they represent a significant environmental challenge on a global scale. Each year, up to 500 billion single-use cups are used worldwide.
Despite their paper-like appearance, most are lined with plastic or bioplastics, making them extremely difficult to recycle. In practice, fewer than 1% are recycled, with the vast majority ending up in landfill, incineration, or the natural environment.
Hot beverages introduce an additional concern. Studies have shown that plastic-lined paper cups can release thousands of microplastic particles into drinks within minutes of use.
The issue extends beyond waste management – it is fundamentally a materials and design challenge embedded in the product itself.
A Long-Term Commitment Through Horizon Europe
To tackle this issue, Notpla has been awarded €4 million in funding from Horizon Europe to lead a three-year research and development initiative.
Working alongside 14 partners across Europe and Africa, the project aims to develop a market-ready coffee cup featuring a fully natural, home-compostable coating – capable of performing in real-world foodservice environments without relying on plastic.
The scope of the project spans materials research, coating development, manufacturing processes, performance testing, and end-of-life assessment, with the goal of delivering a solution designed to function at scale.
Building on Real-World Learning
This initiative builds on Notpla’s previous work and pilot projects. In earlier trials, including a Gen 1 espresso cup pilot at The Earthshot Prize in Rio, the company demonstrated that plastic-free coated cups can perform effectively in real-world settings for specific formats.
These early trials helped validate the approach while also identifying remaining challenges.
The Horizon Europe project builds on these insights by expanding the scope, deepening the research, and working towards a solution that can be applied across a wider range of formats and use cases.
A Step Towards Systemic Change
“The disposable coffee cup looks like a simple invention, but it hides a complex problem. This project gives us the chance to tackle that issue at its source,” said Pierre Paslier, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Notpla.
Future Outlook
Through this Horizon Europe-funded project, Notpla aims to contribute to a shift in how everyday packaging is designed, used, and disposed of.
By focusing on natural materials and scalable solutions, the initiative reflects a broader effort to eliminate plastic waste at its origin and rethink product design for a more sustainable future.
Access Notpla's official press release here.
Additional information
About Notpla
Notpla is a sustainable packaging innovator that develops scalable materials made from seaweed and plants. Behind these products is a company deeply committed to making the planet a healthier place. Winner of the prestigious Earthshot Prize in 2022, Notpla are famed for their natural alternatives to everyday single-use plastics and established, industrially scaled solutions. These plastic-free alternatives include seaweed-coated food containers, edible liquid bubbles and flexible film replacements. To date, their solutions have already replaced 16 million pieces of single-use plastic from entering our environment.
Learn more about Notpla by visiting their official website.
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