Eduardo Perez Martinez
Recycap Technologies
Madrid, Spain
The REACT® Coffee Maker is an innovative integrated appliance that automates both the brewing and clean recycling of single-use coffee capsules. Unlike conventional capsule coffee machines, which leave used capsules contaminated with organic coffee grounds, the REACT® Coffee Maker incorporates a patented mechanical separation module that automatically empties each capsule immediately after brewing. This system addresses a critical barrier to sustainable capsule consumption: the difficulty of separating residual coffee from the capsule shell, which prevents efficient recycling and contributes to millions of tons of waste annually.
“The idea originated in 2019 while working in the coffee industry, where we witnessed firsthand the environmental impact of single-use coffee capsules,” said Eduardo Perez Martinez. “Despite their popularity, more than 90 percent of capsules still end up in landfills due to the difficulty of separating aluminum or plastic from organic coffee waste. Recognizing the lack of an effective recycling solution, we created REACT®, a patented technology that automates the emptying and separation process.”
After brewing a cup of coffee, the user simply closes the machine as usual. The REACT® system then automatically engages an extraction cycle. The capsule is mechanically pierced and rotated while a controlled airflow and mechanical scraping dislodge all residual coffee grounds. The grounds are conveyed into an internal compartment for organic waste. The cleaned capsule shell is routed into a separate bin ready for recycling without further handling. The machine resets itself for the next brewing cycle.
The system is compatible with widely used capsule formats, including Nespresso®-style capsules. It directly supports compliance with new European Union packaging and waste directives requiring compostable or recyclable single-dose containers. By ensuring capsules are clean and properly separated, it increases recycling rates from under 10 percent to nearly 100 percent.
“Developing a device capable of efficiently separating coffee grounds from capsules of different brands was a major challenge. We needed to ensure it was fast, reliable, compact, and affordable while also compliant with recycling regulations,” said Martinez. “Another difficulty was designing the system to avoid capsule deformation, so that recyclers could process them efficiently. Scaling the prototypes into manufacturable devices required engineering optimization and the creation of robust molds. Balancing industrial-grade performance with consumer-friendly usability pushed us to innovate constantly.”
The REACT® Coffee Maker is designed for mass production. The mechanical extraction module leverages standard electric actuators, sensors, and injection-molded components. The machine builds upon established capsule brewing technology with modular integration of the cleaning unit. Engineering prototypes have been built and validated, demonstrating both brewing performance and reliable capsule separation.
According to Martinez, they are nearing commercialization. “The REACT-H (for offices) and REACT-S (for home) have reached TRL 8 and are expected to launch in early-to-mid 2026. Our flagship product, the REACT® Coffee Maker, has already achieved TRL 7 with validated engineering prototypes. Industrialization is planned for Q4 2025, with first production runs in Q2/Q3 2026,” he said.
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