Bio-bean

Bio-bean was conceived while Arthur Kay was still an architecture student at The Bartlett, University College London (UCL).{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

Bio-bean collected waste coffee grounds from hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, office blocks, and coffee factories.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

His idea won awards and support from the Mayor of London, UCL, Tata, Santander, and Shell.{{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}} bio-bean became a part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation CE100, and its products were exhibited at The Science Museum. The company was also awarded funding from Innovate UK.{{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}}{{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}} Bio-bean's London collection service was launched by Mayor Boris Johnson and Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, and its 40,000 sq ft factory was opened in 2015 with the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes per year.{{Cite web |title=Bio-bean |url=http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/mayor-recognises-london-green-trailblazers-4177.aspx}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} In 2017 bio-bean collaborated with Shell,{{Cite web |title=Bio bean |url=http://www.shell-livewire.org/blog/spin-the-wheel-don't-reinvent-it/}} Argent Energy, and Transport for London to create biodiesel from used coffee grounds, {{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 }} which has been used to power London's buses. {{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}}{{Cite news |last=Devlin |first=Hannah |date=2023-10-24 |title=British scientists wake up to running cars on coffee dregs |newspaper=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}}{{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}} The campaign achieved a global reach of 11.8 billion through purely earned media activation. {{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}} The campaign was featured in global media outlets such as the BBC, Bloomberg, New York Times, The Independent, among many others.{{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}} In 2017 according to reports, Bio-bean launched its ad campaign after winning Richard Branson's Virgin Voom competition.{{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}}{{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}}

In March 2023 Bio-bean collapsed following strong domestic inflation and a factory fire. {{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}} In July 2023 Envar Composting Ltd, a large UK-based bioenergy company, acquired Bio-Bean's assets.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} bio-bean also produced briquettes and barbecue charcoal from waste coffee grounds {{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}}{{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}} bio-bean conducted extensive research and development into biodiesel, {{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}} biochemicals, and further uses for waste coffee grounds and other organic waste streams.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

• Biodiesel from used coffee

{{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}}

{{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 }}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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