Continental has developed a way of using coffee grounds as a sustainable raw material for its surface products – such as in the upholstery fabric skai VyP Coffee. To this end, the grounds produced during the preparation of coffee are processed before being incorporated into the material’s production.

This avoids waste, meaning no greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are generated. Other recycled and natural elements are also added to the mix. The upshot is that over 65 percent of the conventional chemical raw materials that would otherwise be used are replaced by natural and recycled substances in production of skai VyP Coffee. The upholstery fabric uses laif technology to give it breathable qualities and ensures optimum seating comfort in places where people tend to stay a while, such as hotels, cafés, restaurants or offices. It stands out with its authentic look and soft feel.

Figures from the International Coffee Organization show that Europeans consumed some 273 million kilograms of the popular beverage between June 2020 and June 2021. That leaves behind a lot of coffee grounds, all of which would normally be thrown in the trash.