If you’re a coffee roaster, Europe is likely your target market. It’s the world’s largest coffee market, with a large number of discerning coffee lovers willing to pay higher prices for high-quality beans.

But if you try to sell standard plastic-lined coffee bags or nylon drip filters in Berlin, Stockholm, or Paris today, you’ll likely run into trouble.

Europe is changing. Consumer attitudes have shifted dramatically, and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. For coffee brands, sustainable packaging is no longer just a “nice-to-have”; it is a powerful sales driver and increasingly a necessity for business operations.

Here is why switching to environmentally friendly materials is the wisest business decision you can make for the European market.

1. The Conscious Consumer: Willing to Pay More

In markets such as Scandinavia, Germany, and the UK, consumers proactively check the packaging before purchasing.

Recent research indicates that over 60% of European consumers are willing to pay higher prices for products using sustainable packaging. Conversely, they are increasingly inclined to boycott brands that overuse plastic.

• The Risk: If your drip coffee bags are made of ordinary plastic mesh, they might be seen as “wasteful.”

• The Opportunity: If your packaging says “100% compostable” or “plant-based,” you instantly connect your brand with your customers’ values. This creates an emotional bond, turning one-time buyers into loyal customers.

2. Navigating the “Plastic Ban” (SUPD)

The EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) has come into effect, and its scope is expanding. Taxes on non-recyclable plastics are increasing across the European continent.

Retailers and distributors are starting to feel the pressure. Major supermarket chains are setting stringent carbon reduction targets and are beginning to exclude suppliers that fail to meet them.

The Solution: By partnering with Tonchant and switching to PLA (corn fiber) filters and biodegradable outer layers, you can secure the future of your business. This eliminates the risk of your products being banned or subject to heavy taxes, making you a more attractive partner for European distributors.

3. Redefining Luxury: “High Quality” Now Means “Responsible”

Ten years ago, luxury packaging meant heavy foil and glossy coatings. Today, luxury is defined by thoughtfulness.

A matte-finish, bio-based coffee bag features a simple design that conveys a message of “quality.” It tells customers: “We care about the coffee beans, and we care about where the packaging ends up.”

Using Tonchant’s High-Transparency PLA Mesh to make drip bags or pyramid tea bags offers the best of both worlds:

1. It looks silky and luxurious (just like nylon).

2. It carries the biodegradable certification required by modern luxury standards.

4. Certification Builds Trust

In Europe, trust is currency. You can’t just claim to be environmentally conscious; you need to prove it.

This is how Tonchant’s compliance expertise becomes your competitive advantage. Our materials are designed to meet standards such as EN 13432 (the European compostability standard).

When you can print valid certifications on your packaging, you eliminate consumer concerns. You’re not “greenwashing”—you’re being transparent.

How Tonchant Helps You Enter the Market

The transition to sustainable packaging can be daunting. Will shelf life be affected? Will this material work on my machines?

Tonchant is committed to bridging this gap.

• For Filters: We offer PLA corn fiber mesh (in rolls and pre-made bags) which has excellent flow rate and neutral taste, while being fully biodegradable.

• For Machinery: If you set up a production base in Europe, our Ultrasonic Packaging Machines are calibrated to perfectly seal biological materials, avoiding the melting or tearing problems common in older heat sealers.

Don’t let plastic hold you back. The European market is eagerly awaiting your coffee—make sure it’s presented in the packaging they demand.

[Contact Tonchant Today] to discuss our sustainable packaging solutions for Europe.