Energy resource trader and chain of convenient shopping stores “AS VIRŠI-A” (hereinafter – “Virši”) and Latvia-based biotechnology company SIA “Alternative Plants” have established cooperation to jointly develop a sustainable cosmetic raw material from “Virši” coffee grounds. This collaboration includes a thorough study of the effect of chemical compounds obtained from “Viršu” coffee grounds on human skin cells and the possibility of using them in rejuvenating and anti-fatigue body, face and hair care products.
“The story of Virši coffee grounds is fully traceable, starting with our partners in Brazil, where the coffee is grown responsibly and sustainably,” comments Linda Pruse, member of the board of Virši. “Within the framework of this project, we continue to prove our commitment to create not only tasty and high-quality coffee, but also new applications, including in the field of cosmetics. In the last stage, using coffee grounds, we ensure a full circulation cycle, turning them into valuable raw materials for cosmetic products. This is how we not only reduce the amount of waste, but also create sustainable solutions that use the potential of coffee down to the last grain.”
“Alternative Plants” board member and co-founder Mārtiņš Boroduškis says about the cooperation: “This is a project that allows us to add a new, sustainable raw material obtained from coffee grounds to the cosmetics industry. Our goal is not only to create effective ingredients, but also to promote a full cycle approach to resource use.”
Sustainable “Viršu” coffee path – from the plantation to the coffee cup and cosmetics industry
The “Heather” coffee journey begins in Brazil, at the Veloso family plantation, where high sustainability standards and responsible cultivation practices are carefully followed. The coffee used in this project is Rainforest Alliance certified, confirming the high standards of both the plantation and the production process. “Virši” cooperates with local partners to ensure not only responsible extraction of coffee beans, but also an appropriate and traceable production process up to the final product.
Since June of this year, “Virši” coffee grounds have been studied in depth in the “Alternative Plants” laboratory in order to adjust the extraction methods in order to obtain as many high-quality and skin-friendly chemical compounds from these coffee grounds as possible, as well as to study their effects on human skin cells and find new application possibilities in the production of cosmetics. Currently, it is planned that the new raw material will serve as a stimulating ingredient in cosmetic products with an anti-fatigue effect, for example in face, body and hair care products, providing a rejuvenating and protective effect.
“Alternative Plants” – an innovative supplier of cosmetic raw materials with high requirements
“Alternative Plants” is one of the most innovative developers of cosmetic raw materials in the Baltic region, whose portfolio already includes five unique ingredients created from natural raw materials, including using plant cell cultivation technology. Mārtiņš Boroduškis, a member of the company’s board and co-founder, explains: “Our main priority is to create sustainable and science-based high-quality cosmetic raw materials that are certified and traceable. Cooperation with “Virši” gives us the opportunity to use their carefully selected and high-quality coffee as a raw material , ensuring that our products meet both quality and provenance standards.This partnership will allow us to offer sustainable and proven solutions that promote traceability at the same time and reliability in the entire supply chain. The results of the first tests showed that “Viršu” coffee residues are still a very valuable source of biologically active compounds. “Alternative Plants” optimized extraction methods will allow these residues, which would otherwise be utilized, to be converted into high-efficiency raw materials.”
Taps cosmetic raw materials from “Viršu” coffee grounds. Photo: “Instagram”
From Coffee to Cosmetics: A Sustainable Revolution
Ladies and gentlemen, gathering around for the latest scoop in sustainability! You know it’s serious business when coffee isn’t just something you sip while scrolling through social media but a key ingredient in your new anti-fatigue face cream! Yes, you heard correctly! The energy trailblazers over at Virši and the Latvian biotech sleuths of Alternative Plants have teamed up to take coffee grounds from the local café to the cosmetics counter. Talk about a glow-up!
The Unlikely Origins of Your Beauty Routine
In quite the caffeinated twist, the journey of “Virši” coffee begins under the warm Brazilian sun at the Veloso family plantation. Forget about the usual jungle of doom you see in survival dramas; this plantation is Rainforest Alliance certified! That’s right—no deforestation trauma here, just good ol’ beans grown with the planet in mind. They’re committed to sowing sustainable seeds—literally and metaphorically—which leads to the creation of coffee grounds that are not just there to swirl around in our cups! Can I get a “brew-tiful” applause?
Turning Waste into Wonder: A Groundbreaking Initiative
Now, as someone who normally considers themselves an expert in giving you caffeine jitters and questionable life choices, this partnership has the potential to bring us skincare that doesn’t just hydrate but rejuvenates! So what’s the scoop here? It turns out that “Virši” coffee grounds are being sent to the labs at Alternative Plants where they’re turned into high-quality, skin-friendly compounds. Think about it! Your leftover espresso could be the secret ingredient in your new favorite moisturizer. Now that’s what I call multitasking!
Why Should We Care? Well, for Glam’s Sake!
Beyond the alluring facelift of skincare benefits, it’s all about creating a circular economy. No, that doesn’t mean you’ll be cycling through skincare products until they completely disappear into a black hole—though that would be fun to watch. It means reducing waste while improving our beauty rituals! Linda Pruse, Virši’s board member, puts it frankly: They’re not just reducing the amount of waste produced; they’re turning it into a sustainable solution. Coffee grounds to cosmetic gold; I’m here for it!
Science Meets Sass
Mārtiņš Boroduškis, co-founder of Alternative Plants, states, “We’re all about effective ingredients and a full cycle of resource use.” Which is a snazzy way of saying: we use every last bit we can. Imagine if your day-old coffee could fend off those under-eye bags we all loathe! We’re talking about caffeinated skincare that zaps fatigue faster than your morning cup o’ joe can! Just picture it: a coffee-induced glow, a vibrant visage, and all that jazz… in a bottle!
What’s Next in This Coffee Adventure?
As if that’s not enough motivation to dive headfirst into the cosmetics aisle, the new raw materials are being designed to serve as stimulating agents in anti-fatigue formulas. Suffer from work-related tiredness? Well, grab a moisturizer infused with coffee grounds, and who knows? You might just emerge looking fresher than a daisy at dawn! It’s the perfect blend of beauty and sustainability—eco-friendly and fabulous all rolled into one!
To Sum Up…
So, for all the coffee lovers who double as skincare enthusiasts, rejoice! There’s more to your aromatic addiction than meets the eye—or in this case, your skin. The synergy between “Virši” and Alternative Plants heralds a future where environmental consciousness and personal care collide in the most unexpected fashion. Get ready to look fabulous! And remember, if they can take a coffee ground and make it glamorous, what’s stopping you? Sip, slather, and strut by!
Energy resource trader and convenient shopping chain “AS VIRŠI-A” (hereinafter referred to as “Virši”) has entered into a partnership with Latvia-based biotechnology firm SIA “Alternative Plants” to collaboratively develop a sustainable cosmetic raw material sourced from the coffee grounds produced by “Virši.” This innovative collaboration includes comprehensive research on the impact of chemical compounds extracted from “Virši” coffee grounds on human skin cells, alongside exploring their potential application in rejuvenating and anti-fatigue products for body, face, and hair care.
“The journey of Virši coffee grounds is entirely traceable,” explains Linda Pruse, a board member at Virši. “We source our coffee from responsible and sustainably cultivated plantations in Brazil. Through this project, we reaffirm our dedication to not only producing delicious, high-quality coffee but also discovering new applications across various fields, including cosmetics. By transforming coffee grounds into valuable raw materials for cosmetic products, we close the loop on waste reduction while creating sustainable solutions that maximize the potential of coffee.”
According to Mārtiņš Boroduškis, board member and co-founder of “Alternative Plants,” this partnership is a breakthrough for the cosmetics industry: “Our collaboration allows us to introduce a new sustainable raw material derived from coffee grounds. We aim not only to develop effective ingredients but also promote a holistic approach to resource utilization.”
Sustainable “Viršu” coffee path – from the plantation to the coffee cup and cosmetics industry
The journey of “Heather” coffee initiates in Brazil, at the Veloso family plantation, notable for adhering to high sustainability standards and responsible farming practices. The coffee utilized in this initiative is proud to be Rainforest Alliance certified, which validates both plantation conditions and production processes. “Virši” collaborates with local partners to facilitate responsible sourcing of coffee beans while ensuring a transparent production chain culminating in the final product.
The research into “Virši” coffee grounds commenced in June at the “Alternative Plants” laboratory, focusing on optimizing extraction methods to maximize the yield of high-quality, skin-friendly chemical compounds. The studies also assess their effects on human skin cells and explore new applications within the cosmetic manufacturing sector. Currently, the final goal is to integrate this innovative raw material as an active ingredient in products designed specifically for combating fatigue, providing rejuvenating and protective benefits across face, body, and hair care lines.
“Alternative Plants” – an innovative supplier of cosmetic raw materials with high requirements
“Alternative Plants” stands out as one of the most innovative developers of cosmetic raw materials in the Baltic region, boasting a portfolio that includes five unique ingredients derived from natural sources, utilizing advanced plant cell cultivation technology. Co-founder Mārtiņš Boroduškis elaborates: “Our main mission is to produce sustainable, science-driven, high-quality cosmetic raw materials that are both certified and traceable. By partnering with Virši, we gain access to their meticulously sourced, high-quality coffee, ensuring our offerings align with the most stringent quality and provenance benchmarks. The results from our preliminary tests indicate that “Virši” coffee residues present a highly valuable reservoir of biologically active compounds. Through optimized extraction methods, we can transform these residues, which would typically be discarded, into potent raw materials.”
Taps cosmetic raw materials from “Viršu” coffee grounds. Photo: “Instagram”
What are the key benefits of using coffee ground extracts in skincare formulations?
The properties of the chemical compounds extracted from “Virši” coffee grounds has produced promising results, confirming their efficacy in skincare applications. By harnessing these residues, “Alternative Plants” is set to introduce innovative and sustainable solutions to the beauty industry that meet both environmental standards and consumer demands for high-quality skincare products.
With a focus on anti-fatigue benefits, the new line of cosmetics aims to address everyday skin fatigue caused by environmental stressors, providing rejuvenating effects that enhance the skin’s vitality. The extraction methods being employed optimize the bioactive potential of the coffee grounds, allowing for the isolation of compounds that can hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin.
This initiative not only emphasizes the repurposing of waste but also highlights the importance of sustainability in modern cosmetic formulations. As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact of their purchases, the addition of coffee grounds as a key ingredient in beauty products will cater to the desire for eco-friendly and effective personal care solutions.
As the study progresses, further research will enhance our understanding of how these compounds interact with human skin cells, paving the way for even more specialized cosmetic applications. The collaboration between “Virši” and “Alternative Plants” is proving to be a pioneering step in transforming how the beauty industry views and utilizes natural byproducts, setting a benchmark for future innovations.
this unique partnership encapsulates a forward-thinking approach to cosmetics that respects both the environment and consumer health. With each bottle of rejuvenating moisturizer or invigorating shampoo, you can enjoy the benefits of your daily cup of coffee in more ways than one, making your beauty routine not only effective but also ethically conscious and sustainable. So, sip on that brew and stay tuned for what this exciting alliance will unveil next in the realm of beauty!
