PoC for Malmö
fabula Inc.
Theme / Urban Challenge
Development of high-value upcycling methods
Malmö has prioritized the utilization of food waste and is seeking innovative solutions to upcycle it into new materials.
Encouragement of local business engagement in the ecosystem
Malmö aims to foster collaboration among local enterprises to build a circular economy that recirculates resources and creates added value.
PoC Overview
fabula Inc. provided a solution that transforms waste into high-value materials and products. Using coffee grounds generated within Malmö, the company produced materials and elevated them into practical, everyday products. The team also helped to build momentum toward establishing a circular economy in Malmö through engaging local businesses in workshops as part of the PoC.
PoC Schedule
PoC Progress
Pre-research
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fabula Inc. held a series of preparatory meetings with Malmö City ahead of the Proof-of-Concept (PoC). The City provided guidance on required procedures and permits, coordinated facility access and collection logistics, and introduced target collection site,
including local cafés and roasteries, for coffee grounds collection. Malmö City also facilitated collaboration with relevant stakeholders across the city.
Meeting with Local Stakeholders
Collection of Coffee Grounds
Collection and Transportation
- Over roughly one week, the team collected 200 kg of used coffee grounds from multiple cafés and roasteries across Malmö. The collected materials were transported to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) for processing with support from a local partner company.
Prototyping
- At SLU, using fabula Inc.’s proprietary technology, the team dried and molded the coffee grounds to create base materials, followed by quality and mechanical strength evaluations. These materials were then brought back to Japan, where the team fabricated prototypes, including point-of-purchase Pop-up display and coffee drip stands.
Processing Coffee Grounds
Trial Use, Workshops, and Result Assessment
- The prototypes were trialed at Malmö’s market hall and selected cafés. The team also convened a workshop with local businesses and partner organizations to explore future deployment in Malmö and collaboration ideas. These activities helped build momentum among local companies and residents toward a circular economy.