A team at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology has introduced a new green solution. Professor Chen Jem-kun and his students developed an eco-friendly product using coffee grounds. They call it a coffee waste building material.Notably, the team focused on keeping the natural structure of coffee grounds intact. Unlike conventional materials, they avoided synthetic adhesives. As a result, the material stays porous. These pores reflect and scatter sound waves efficiently.Therefore, the material offers excellent soundproofing. It is perfect for homes, offices, cinemas, and even recording studios. Moreover, furniture makers have shown strong interest in using it.
In addition to reducing noise, this coffee waste building material provides other benefits. It deodorizes spaces, absorbs moisture, and even repels insects. Consequently, it serves multiple functions in green construction.Furthermore, Chen stressed the importance of keeping the material biodegradable. Most existing coffee-based materials rely on adhesives that block pores. Thus, they reduce both sound absorption and environmental value.Instead, Chen’s team spent two years fine-tuning the formula. They combined material modification with hot-pressing methods. As a result, they achieved a fully functional product. Most importantly, it is now ready for mass production.
Globally, coffee is the second most traded product after oil. Every year, 7.63 million tonnes of coffee waste are produced. Typically, most of it becomes compost. However, composting often releases harmful gases and contributes to pollution.For that reason, the team wanted to find a better solution. Their coffee waste building material offers a way to recycle while reducing carbon output. It is both cost-effective and planet-friendly.Meanwhile, other departments at the university have also worked with coffee waste. In September, Professor Joseph Kuo used it to create skincare ingredients. His team extracted organic compounds that hydrate skin and slow melanin production.
Around the same time, the university also partnered with Mi Barbecue Beer Bar and Kainan University. Together, they turned coffee grounds into charcoal. Later, they used the charcoal ash as biofertilizer, promoting resource recycling.Overall, Taiwan’s researchers continue turning waste into innovation. Through hard work and collaboration, they developed a product that meets modern needs. Ultimately, this coffee waste building material could reshape industries worldwide.
