At the PacTec Fair on 11 March 2026 at Messukeskus in Helsinki, an innovative collaboration was presented in which Meira Oy, Natural Indigo Finland, and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) have developed bio based printing inks from coffee production side streams for the needs of the packaging and textile industries. The panel discussion highlighted how side streams from the coffee industry have successfully been transformed into high quality, economically significant, and environmentally friendly products.
According to Pasi Ainasoja, CEO of Natural Indigo Finland, the collaboration has uniquely brought together the expertise of large industry, a startup, and applied research. Meira’s coffee side stream, Natural Indigo Finland’s bio color development, and TAMK’s applied circular economy research have created a new value chain that supports the green transition and cuts the reduce dependence on fossil based pigments.
Heidi Päiväniemi, Marketing and Sustainability Director at Meira Oy, emphasized that the development of bio based inks extends the life cycle of coffee and raises the environmental value of a side stream that would otherwise be directed only to bioenergy use. The result is functional and responsible solutions for the packaging and printing industries.
Kai Lankinen, Principal Researcher at TAMK, noted that the project is a concrete example of how Finnish companies and higher education institutions can jointly accelerate sustainable innovation. According to Lankinen, the solution also has clear global scaling potential, which is made possible by close and seamless collaboration with industry partners.
“The Finnish people have a special relationship with coffee, and now it can gain a second life. By elevating waste into a new, environmentally beneficial product, we can strengthen sustainability while meeting growing market demand,” the project partners conclude.
About the Partners
Natural Indigo Finland – www.naturalindigo.fi
Pasi Ainasoja (info@naturalindigo.fi), tel. +358400282370
Developer of plant and bio based industrial colorants focused on circular economy solutions.
Meira Oy – www.meira.fi
Heidi Päiväniemi (heidi.paivaniemi@meira.fi), tel. +358407437850
A major Finnish coffee roastery and spice producer committed to quality and science based climate targets. Part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group.
Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) – www.tuni.fi/tamk
Kai Lankinen (kai.lankinen@tuni.fi), tel. +358504277616
A leading Finnish university of applied sciences known for strong industry collaboration and applied research in sustainable materials and technologies.
