SCGs cellulose nanofibers

Izuru Kawamura and Noriko Kanai team (Kawamura laboratory, Yokohama National university,) released in April, 2020 that cellulose nanofibers were successfully derived from spent coffee grounds(SCGs). Cellulose nanofibers which are made out from cellulose in plant cell walls are five times tougher and lighter than iron, and have good insulation. It is expected that SCGs cellulose nanofibers can be used as materials and filters for buildings and as parts of cars.*

Although only 10% of cellulose can be extracted and used from spent coffee grounds to cellulose nanofibers, it is said to be a high potential material because 450,000 tons of coffee grounds are consumed every year in Japan. Most of SCGs have been wasted, but this study demonstrates that they can be used as sustainable and eco-friendly resources by collecting them properly and efficiently.

* N. Kanai, T. Honda, N. Yoshihara, T. Oyama, A. Naito, K. Ueda, I. Kawamura, “Cellulose nanofibers isolated from spent coffee grounds and their composite films with poly(vinyl alcohol): a new non-wood source” (2020) Cellulose 27, 5017-5028.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03113-w

1.Upcycle Spent Coffee Grounds

This study shows that spent coffee grounds that have been wasted can be utilized and they create higher value resources.

2.Reduce costs of producing cellulose nanofibers

Cellulose nanofibers are originally known as an environmentally friendly material but it is also known as a high cost material because they are wood based. It is expected that this SCGs cellulose nanofibers will save the costs and make it easy to use.

3.Potentially Supply a Good Deal of Cellulose Nanofibers

We consume 450,000 tons of coffee grounds every year in Japan. By utilizing them efficiently instead of throwing away, it will be possible to provide plenty of spent coffee grounds.