Born from coffee-chemistry research at The Ohio State University in 2016, Unspent turns spent coffee grounds into COPOXEE™, a renewable plasticizer for the materials industry. Cofounders Kathryn Williamson and Emmanuel Hatzakis developed the material to give coffee waste a second use while helping replace petroleum-based plastics in functional packaging. The company also develops other sustainable materials from food-industry byproducts.
Coffee ElfCoffee Elf turns spent coffee grounds into bio-based materials and cosmetic ingredients, positioning itself as the U.S.'s first coffee-based biorefinery. Its “Coffee Bio-Alchemy” process uses solvent-free extraction and repurposes the remaining fibrous biomass for products such as sustainable textiles, helping divert coffee waste into new uses across beauty, fashion, and wellness. Based in New York, the company describes its circular-economy work as a way to support women, communities, and nature.NEW YORK, NY
Treplar, IncTreplar, Inc. grew from a collaboration between expanded-materials engineers and packaging experts united by a desire to reduce plastic waste. The Martinsburg, West Virginia, company develops sustainable food packaging for businesses moving away from polystyrene, with its XPET™ material providing a lightweight alternative for commercial food use.MARTINSBURG, WV
Anew MaterialFounded by a former nail technician and a PhD chemist, Anew Material creates plant-based, biodegradable coatings designed to replace petroleum-based formulas, including a nail polish made without volatile chemicals or microplastics. Its water-based material technology also extends to fabric coatings and adhesives, bringing together scientific research and firsthand experience from the beauty industry.BROOKLYN, NY
Prism Worldwide LLCPrism Worldwide turns end-of-life tire rubber and plastic waste into sustainable performance polymers, using patented chemistry that breaks down tire rubber at the molecular level. Founded by Bob Abramowitz, Spike Anderson, and inventor Will Coe, the company develops materials such as Ancora™ and Ennova™ for manufacturers seeking recycled content without giving up conventional processing or performance. Its Sodus, New York operation includes a 65,000-plus-square-foot production facility with more than 40 million pounds of annual twin-screw compounding capacity, and is certified to ISO 9001:2015.SODUS, NY