Have you already heard of plastic-free milk capsules heard? Thanks to a tip from a reader, I came across nutritionist Martha Wellner and Professor Dr.-Ing. Joachim Ulrich, who have developed a very good alternative to the classic plastic milk capsules from sugar and milk at the University of Halle. In the spirit of the plastic-free life just. This makes the coffee whiter and sweeter, without producing any packaging waste. In an interview with Martha Wellner, I found out more about her development of plastic-free milk capsules. Have fun!
Plastic-free milk capsules made from sugar? How did this come about?
The development of the milk capsules took place as part of my doctorate at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg at the Center for Engineering Sciences in the field of thermal process engineering together with my doctoral supervisor Prof. Joachim Ulrich. The topic of my work is the encapsulation of liquids.
The idea was to find an alternative to the conventional small plastic sachets for coffee creamers. Anyone who likes to drink coffee can no longer avoid them - whether on the plane, at the bakery next door or at events.
However, not only are they bulky, but they also produce a lot of plastic waste. Our aim was to develop a dimensionally stable capsule that contains liquid milk and dissolves in hot drinks. This means that the "packaging" is also part of the end product and the use of plastic as packaging is no longer necessary. Of course, we are also aware that the milk capsules cannot be delivered to the consumer completely unpackaged. However, there are some environmentally friendly options.
How are the plastic-free milk capsules produced?
The milk capsules consist of a solid crystalline shell and a liquid filling (milk or condensed milk). The manufacturing process for the dissolvable portion capsules is based on the principle of crystallization. The crystalline material (which later forms the shell) is dissolved in the milk and then filled into molds. Crystallization is specifically stimulated by a defined temperature control so that a stable shell forms around the milk.
What development are you responding to with the plastic-free milk capsules?
With the development of our environmentally friendly milk capsules, we naturally want to contribute to a reduction in plastic waste, but at the same time offer an innovative and consumer-friendly product.
When will plastic-free milk capsules be ready for the market?
We can currently produce sweetened capsules (i.e. sucrose as a shell) and sugar-free milk capsules. We can also transfer the encapsulation process to many other liquids, so that we can also encapsulate fruit juice or coffee concentrate, for example, in dissolvable shells. The product properties now also meet our requirements. We are very satisfied with them. As my doctorate is coming to an end, development is unfortunately finished for the time being. Unfortunately, we cannot say whether and how things will continue with the capsules. The university has no plans to launch them on the market.
Can our readers support the development of plastic-free milk capsules?
Whether these types of products find their way onto retail shelves will of course depend heavily on the demand for these products. If we launch the capsules on the market, it will of course be a huge help if they are well received.
I think it's great how many ideas we are all coming up with to work in the spirit of the Zero Waste Lifestyleto avoid plastic waste. Some may think that it makes no difference whether you give up the milk capsule or not. But imagine what would happen if over 7 billion people thought the same...Â
Let's make a change together and promote ideas that will make our society a little more plastic-free every day.
Stay clean,
PS.: In the Online Course 30 Days to Zero Waste I'll show you step by step how to reduce your everyday waste in 30 days. Have fun!
Hello,
I stumbled across your article while looking for plastic-free milk capsules for our office. Unfortunately, as I have read, there doesn't seem to be any series production yet. Can you give me a tip on which portion cans might be recyclable? Unfortunately, it is not possible to switch to a different container.
Best regards
Alessandra Stieler
Hello Alessandra,
Thank you for your message. Yes, unfortunately the plastic-free milk capsules are not mass-produced. As I'm not a coffee drinker myself, I don't have a recyclable alternative. Can't you just add a shot of milk from the returnable glass bottle to your coffee? 🙂
Many greetings
Christoph
Hello,
I find the product very interesting.
What are the chances that your product will be launched on the market?
Hello Annett! Me too 🙂
Unfortunately, it looks like plastic-free milk capsules won't make it onto the market. But you can buy milk from a glass bottle and use it to make your coffee a little lighter!
Best regards
Christoph