# Bio-bean

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio-bean
> Source revision: 1340126809
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{{short description|British waste recycling company}}
{{update|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox company|
| name = bio-bean Limited
| logo = Bio-bean_Limited_logo,_2020.png
| type = [Private](/source/Privately_held_company)
| foundation = [London](/source/London), [England](/source/England) 2013
| founder = Arthur Kay
| fate = Acquired in 2023
| location = [Cambridgeshire](/source/Cambridgeshire), England
| industry = {{Unbulleted list|Recycling|Manufacturing|Flavor Ingredients|Solid Fuels|Raw Material Supply|Renewables}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|Coffee Logs|Coffee biomass pellets|Natural coffee flavour ingredient|Recycled coffee raw material}}
| revenue = 
| num_employees = 45
}}

'''Bio-bean''' was a private company that industrialised the process of recycling waste coffee grounds into advanced [biofuels](/source/Biofuel) and [biomass](/source/biomass) [pellets](/source/Pellet_fuel).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minn |first=Hayley |date=2014-08-22 |title=Bio-bean is turning coffee grounds into energy and fuel |url=https://www.shinyshiny.tv/2014/08/bio-bean-turning-coffee-grounds-energy-fuel.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=ShinyShiny |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The company was located in [London](/source/London), [England](/source/England), and built the world's first waste coffee recycling factory in [Cambridgeshire](/source/Cambridgeshire). It was founded in 2013 by Arthur Kay.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/sep/07/more-best-2014-new-radicals-observer-nesta|title=More of the best new radicals|last=Fox|first=Killian|date=2014-09-07|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-04-25|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Killian |date=2014-09-07 |title=More of the best new radicals |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/sep/07/more-best-2014-new-radicals-observer-nesta |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsroom |title=arthur-kay-founder-bio-bean-walking-passed-london-bus – FAB News |url=https://fabnews.live/arthur-kay-founder-bio-bean-walking-passed-london-bus/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2014 the company was awarded £400,000 as the winner of the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ill-power-buses-with-coffee-grounds-says-winner-of-400000-eco-prize-9732907.html|title=I'll power buses with coffee grounds says winner of £400,000 eco prize|work=The Evening Standard|date=15 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenchallenge.info/index.php/competition/finalists/arthur-kay-bio-bean|title=Postcode Lottery Green Challenge - Arthur Kay: Bio-bean|author=Minne Lentz|work=Greenchallenge.info|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entries Open for Postcode Lottery's 2015 Green Challenge |url=https://www.worldlottery.net/news/entries-open-for-postcode-lotterys-2015-green-challenge |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=World Lottery |language=en}}</ref> In 2022 after an assessment by [B Corp](/source/B-corp), bio-bean was announced as the B Corp Best in the World Environment, with an overall score of 99.1.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Bio-bean Recognized as 'Best For The World' B Corp for Environmental Impact |url=https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/news/companies/news/22353408/biobean-biobean-recognized-as-best-for-the-world-b-corp-for-environmental-impact |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Cosmetics & Toiletries |language=en-us}}</ref>

==History==
Bio-bean was conceived while Arthur Kay was still an architecture student at [The Bartlett](/source/The_Bartlett), [University College London](/source/University_College_London) (UCL).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/architecture-school-turned-me-into-a-green-entrepreneur/8666263.article|title=Architecture school turned me into a green entrepreneur|work=Architects Journal|access-date=2017-04-25|language=en}}</ref>  Faced with the challenge of designing a coffee shop and roastery, Arthur realised that coffee was being wasted everywhere and set up bio-bean to recycle waste coffee grounds into advanced biofuels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Tryst |date=2014-06-17 |title=Welsh scientist pioneers the coffee fuelled cars of the future |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-scientist-pioneers-coffee-fuelled-7276371 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CNBC.com |first=Anmar Frangoul {{!}} Special to |date=2015-01-15 |title=Grounds for optimism: Turning coffee into fuel |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/09/grounds-for-optimism-turning-coffee-into-fuel.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> 

Bio-bean collected waste coffee grounds from hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, office blocks, and coffee factories.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smedley |first=Tim |date=2014-02-13 |title=Waste coffee grounds set to fuel London with biodiesel and biomass pellets |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/waste-coffee-grounds-fuel-london |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsroom |first=Edie |title=London firm turns waste coffee grounds into biofuels - edie |url=https://www.edie.net/london-firm-turns-waste-coffee-grounds-into-biofuels/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=www.edie.net/ |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bailey-Thomas |first=Carlene |date=2014-03-17 |title=Wake up and smell the coffee |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/17/wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

His idea won awards and support from the [Mayor of London](/source/Mayor_of_London), UCL, [Tata](/source/Tata_Motors), [Santander](/source/Santander_UK), and [Shell](/source/Shell_plc).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smedley |first=Tim |date=2015-01-21 |title=From urban aquaponics to fruit jerky: meet London's green entrepreneurs |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jan/21/london-green-entrepreneurs |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>  bio-bean became a part of the [Ellen MacArthur Foundation](/source/Ellen_MacArthur_Foundation) CE100, and its products were exhibited at The Science Museum. The company was also awarded funding from [Innovate UK](/source/Innovate_UK).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-25 |title=London's used coffee beans power buildings and transport |url=https://www.springwise.com/londons-coffee-beans-power-buildings-transport/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Springwise |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chhabra |first=Esha |title=Coffee Power: London Entrepreneur Uses the City's Coffee Waste for Fuel |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/eshachhabra/2015/02/28/coffee-power-london-entrepreneur-uses-the-cities-coffee-waste-for-fuel/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Bio-bean's London collection service was launched by Mayor [Boris Johnson](/source/Boris_Johnson) and Conservative MP [Zac Goldsmith](/source/Zac_Goldsmith), and its 40,000 sq ft factory was opened in 2015 with the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bio-bean |url=http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/mayor-recognises-london-green-trailblazers-4177.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708035522/http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/mayor-recognises-london-green-trailblazers-4177.aspx|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 8, 2014}}</ref>

In 2015 Kay became the youngest-ever Guardian Sustainable Business Leader of the Year. In 2016 Bio-bean won the Virgin Media Business VOOM Grow category.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise/enterprise-news/2016/bio-bean-wins-virgin-voom-grow-award|title=bio-bean wins Virgin Voom Grow Award|website=www.ucl.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-03-01|archive-date=2017-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302033954/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise/enterprise-news/2016/bio-bean-wins-virgin-voom-grow-award|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://business-reporter.co.uk/2016/07/19/coffee-power-get-go-new-kind-biofuel/|title=Coffee power: Get up and go with a new kind of biofuel - Business Reporter|date=2016-07-19|work=Business Reporter|access-date=2017-03-01|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-03 |title=Meet The Young Entrepreneur Making Biofuel From Coffee |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/27/arthur-kay-making-biofuel-from-coffee-bio-bean_n_5042305.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Smedley |first=Tim |date=2015-04-30 |title=Arthur Kay: Guardian sustainable business leader of the year 2015 |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/30/arthur-kay-guardian-sustainable-business-leader-of-the-year-2015 |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2017 bio-bean collaborated with Shell,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bio bean |url=http://www.shell-livewire.org/blog/spin-the-wheel-don't-reinvent-it/}}</ref>  Argent Energy, and [Transport for London](/source/Transport_for_London) to create biodiesel from used coffee grounds,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jenkins |first1=Rhodri W. |last2=Stageman |first2=Natasha E. |last3=Fortune |first3=Christopher M. |last4=Chuck |first4=Christopher J. |date=2014-02-20 |title=Effect of the Type of Bean, Processing, and Geographical Location on the Biodiesel Produced from Waste Coffee Grounds |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ef4022976 |journal=Energy & Fuels |language=en |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=1166–1174 |doi=10.1021/ef4022976 |s2cid=13880608 |issn=0887-0624|url-access=subscription }}</ref>  which has been used to power London's buses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-29 |title=Environment |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Devlin |first=Hannah |date=2023-10-24 |title=British scientists wake up to running cars on coffee dregs |newspaper=[The Times](/source/The_Times) |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/british-scientists-wake-up-to-running-cars-on-coffee-dregs-30hmkxnsz99 |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Matt |date=2014-09-15 |title=I'll power buses with coffee grounds says winner of £400,000 eco |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/i-ll-power-buses-with-coffee-grounds-says-winner-of-ps400-000-eco-prize-9732907.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> The campaign achieved a global reach of 11.8 billion through purely earned media activation.  <ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennison |first=Ken |title=Farmers Generate Energy from Coffee Wastewater - Environment+Energy Leader |url=https://www.environmentenergyleader.com/2014/08/farmers-generate-energy-from-coffee-wastewater/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.environmentenergyleader.com/ |language=en-US}}</ref>  The campaign was featured in global media outlets such as the [BBC](/source/BBC), [Bloomberg](/source/Bloomberg_News), [New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times), [The Independent](/source/The_Independent), among many others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Railway stations get caffeine kick thanks to coffee recycling deal |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/railway-stations-get-caffeine-kick-thanks-to-coffee-recycling-deal |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Network Rail Media Centre |language=english}}</ref> In 2017 according to reports, Bio-bean launched its ad campaign after winning [Richard Branson](/source/Richard_Branson)'s Virgin Voom competition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/11/06/branson-backed-start-up-bio-bean-launches-first-campaign-with-250k-free-ad-space|title=Branson-backed start up Bio-bean launches first campaign with £250k free ad space from JCDecaux|work=The Drum|access-date=2017-11-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Swindon entrepreneurs urged to enter home-grown small business contest {{!}} SWINDON BUSINESS NEWS |url=http://swindon-business.net/index.php/2014/05/05/swindon-entrepreneurs-urged-to-enter-home-grown-small-business-contest/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2023 Bio-bean collapsed following strong domestic inflation and a factory fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coffee logs supplier Bio-Bean collapses following on-site fire |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/restructures-and-receiverships/coffee-logs-supplier-bio-bean-collapses-following-on-site-fire/678767.article |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.thegrocer.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> In July 2023 Envar Composting Ltd, a large UK-based [bioenergy](/source/bioenergy) company, acquired Bio-Bean's assets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2023 |title=Envar Composting Ltd acquires Bio-Bean Ltd |url=https://www.envar.co.uk/envar-composting-ltd-acquires-bio-bean-ltd/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.envar.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

==Biofuel==
Bio-bean's products were second-generation biofuels. Pellet fuels, namely biomass pellets, from waste coffee grounds, are burned in biomass boilers as a sustainable, local renewable heat alternative.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Scott |date=2014-07-13 |title=Starbucks: Energy Company of the Future? |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/13/starbucks-energy-company-of-the-future.aspx |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-25 |title=Going green: the future of sustainable restaurants |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11431471/Going-green-the-future-of-sustainable-restaurants.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref>  bio-bean also produced briquettes and barbecue charcoal from waste coffee grounds <ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-01 |title=Bioenergy Insight March/April 2014 by Woodcote Media Ltd - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/horseshoemedialtd/docs/mar-apr_14_bioenergy |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Viaintermedia.com |date=2014-06-16 |title=Biofuels - Coffee grounds could be used to make biodiesel says Bath University |url=https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biofuels/coffee-grounds-could-be-used-to-make-20140616 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism |language=en}}</ref>  bio-bean conducted extensive research and development into biodiesel,<ref>{{Cite web |last=EcoWatch |date=2015-03-02 |title=Innovative Startup Sells Coffee Grounds to Fuel Cars and Power Buildings |url=https://www.ecowatch.com/innovative-startup-sells-coffee-grounds-to-fuel-cars-and-power-buildin-1882014523.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=EcoWatch |language=en-US}}</ref>  biochemicals, and further uses for waste coffee grounds and other organic waste streams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-21 |title=The BEAN machine |url=https://www.mrw.co.uk/archive/the-bean-machine-21-06-2014/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=MRW |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=gh |url=https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/property-and-construction/%e2%80%98biofuels-coffee%e2%80%99-firm-takes-alconbury-space}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Turning city waste into biofuels |url=https://www.theneweconomy.com/energy/turning-city-waste-into-biofuels |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.theneweconomy.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [Biodiesel from used coffee](/source/Biodiesel)

==References==
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/waste-coffee-grounds-fuel-london|title=Waste coffee grounds set to fuel London with biodiesel and biomass pellets|author=Tim Smedley|work=The Guardian|date=13 February 2014 |access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/17/wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee|title=Wake up and smell the coffee|work=The Guardian|date=17 March 2014 |access-date=2015-07-30 |last1=Bailey-Thomas |first1=Carlene }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/3033742/turning-waste-coffee-grounds-into-a-different-kind-of-fuel-powering-your-car|title=Turning Waste Coffee Grounds Into A Different Kind Of Fuel: Powering Your Car|work=Co.Exist|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/09/grounds-for-optimism-turning-coffee-into-fuel.html |title=Grounds for optimism: Turning coffee into fuel |publisher=Cnbc.com |date=2015-01-15 |access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article133103683/Der-geniale-Kaffee-Sprit-eines-jungen-Briten.html|title=Bio-Bean: Londoner Student stellt Sprit aus Kaffee her - DIE WELT|author=Nina Trentmann|date=9 October 2014|work=DIE WELT|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/festival-of-business/10466105/The-entrepreneurs-who-are-making-money-from-muck.html|title=The entrepreneurs who are making money from muck|date=22 November 2013|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrw.co.uk/the-bean-machine/8663726.article|title=The BEAN machine|work=Mrw.co.uk|date=21 June 2014 |access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/bio-bean-turns-coffee-waste-into-fuel/story-e6frg8jo-1227264853420 |title=Bio-Bean turns coffee waste into fuel |publisher=Theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/eshachhabra/2015/02/28/coffee-power-london-entrepreneur-uses-the-cities-coffee-waste-for-fuel/|title=Coffee Power: London Entrepreneur Uses the City's Coffee Waste for Fuel|author=Esha Chhabra|work=Forbes|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2417593/bio-bean-to-bring-coffee-to-biofuel-service-to-uk-stations|title=Bio-bean to bring coffee-to-biofuel service to UK stations|work=Businessgreen.com|date=14 July 2015 |access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/wired-insider/2014/bio-bean|title=Bio--Bean recycle waste coffee grounds to create advanced Biofuels|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>
{{Reflist}}

Category:Biomass
Category:Biodiesel
Category:Recycling in the United Kingdom
Category:Coffee companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Companies based in the City of London
Category:British companies established in 2013
Category:Waste management companies of the United Kingdom

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bio-bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio-bean) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio-bean?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.