Coffee Elf is building the first coffee biorefinery in the United States to transform spent coffee grounds into sustainable, high-value ingredients. Every year, ready-to-drink coffee manufacturers spend millions to dispose of coffee waste. At the same time, the beauty industry is searching for cleaner, more reliable, and lower-impact ingredient sources. With the booming 91B natural cosmetics market, brands are facing fragile global supply chains that contribute to billions in losses from product delays and rising natural oil prices.
Through biotechnology and green chemistry, Coffee Elf turns this underused resource into natural oils and materials that are affordable, traceable, and low-carbon. The company’s circular model creates a more resilient supply chain for clean beauty while reducing waste and emissions.