Researchers at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain have developed a new process for converting spent coffee grounds (SCG) into a raw material for biofuel. The study outlines a more energy-efficient method for extracting oil from the coffee waste, which could be used to power vehicles, including heavy transport.
The research highlights that oil makes up approximately 15% of the mass of spent coffee grounds. The new extraction technique reportedly recovers as much as 90% of this oil, a yield comparable to standard laboratory methods but with lower energy consumption. With global coffee production estimated at around 10 million tonnes annually, the volume of SCG sent to landfills presents a significant opportunity for valorization.
This development is part of a broader effort to advance the circular economy within the coffee industry by transforming a common waste product into a valuable resource. According to the researchers, the process utilizes the entire coffee ground, not just the oil, and aims to provide a more sustainable fuel alternative for sectors that are challenging to electrify. The study positions the method as a way to reduce the environmental impact associated with the accumulation of coffee waste in landfills.