What Kaffe Bueno does

Kaffe Bueno ApS is a Danish bioscience company founded in 2016 that upcycles spent coffee grounds and coffee oil into a portfolio of branded active and functional ingredients for the personal care industry, with stated pipeline expansion into human nutrition, animal health, and soil and crop applications. Its core technology is a green-chemistry and biotechnology extraction platform housed in the world's first dedicated coffee biorefinery in Copenhagen, inaugurated in 2023 with support from a €2.5 million European Innovation Council grant, which enables full-spectrum recovery of antioxidants, fatty acids, diterpene esters, melanoidins, and proteins from coffee biomass. The product portfolio comprises KAFFOIL® and KAFFOIL-R® (upcycled coffee oils positioned against argan and palm oil), KAFFAGE® (a patented melanoidin biopolymer for anti-ageing, hydration, and SPF boosting), KAFFAIR® (a patent-pending hair and scalp active), KAFFIBRE® (coffee fibre), KLEANSTANT® (INCI-registered Potassium Coffeeate surfactant launched in 2024), and KA-ZuN™ (coated mineral UV filter). Ingredients carry NATRUE, Ecocert Cosmos, China-compliant, dermatologically tested, and B Corp credentials, and have been recognised through ICI 2025 Gold, Pure Beauty UK 2024 Bronze, and the 2019 in-cosmetics Rising Star Award.

The company operates a B2B ingredient-supplier model, selling in bulk on a quote-based, one-time-purchase basis to cosmetics and personal care brand formulators and manufacturers, primarily in Europe with nascent distribution in Indonesia (via Maha Chemicals) and Italy (via URAI/LEL Group). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales augmented by trade-show presence (in-cosmetics Global, ICI Indonesia) and content-led demand generation. Revenue mechanics are undisclosed; total disclosed capital since 2020 is approximately €1.1M seed, a €2.5M EIC grant, and a ~$6.74M round in January 2024 led by Norwegian biorefinery company Borregaard (now a 41% shareholder), with Borregaard taking a NOK 20 million combined writedown in Q4 2024 on its Kaffe Bueno and Lignovations positions. Leadership transitioned in February 2026, with Thomas Durhuus appointed CEO, succeeding co-founder Juan Pablo Medina who remains a significant shareholder, while co-founders Camilo Fernandez and Alejandro Franco continue as CFO and CCO respectively. The headcount sits in the 11–50 range, consistent with a small commercial-stage bioscience team.

Name

Kaffe Bueno

Legal name

Kaffe Bueno ApS

Website

https://kaffebueno.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kaffe Bueno is a Danish bioscience company that upcycles coffee by-products into branded active and functional ingredients — oils, biopolymers, surfactants, and UV filters — sold B2B to personal care formulators, with pipeline expansion into nutrition, animal health, and agro applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Cosmetic Ingredients

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing (AFAFADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coffee & Tea Concentrates (Liquid, Extracts, Syrups) (AFAFAGAC)

Keywords

• Upcycled coffee ingredients
• Specialty cosmetic ingredients
• Natural bio-based surfactants
• Coffee biorefinery technology
• Personal care actives

Headquarters

HQ city

Søborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ingredient Sales (B2B): Kaffe Bueno generates revenue by selling its proprietary upcycled coffee-derived ingredients (KAFFOIL®, KAFFAGE®, KLEANSTANT®, KAFFAIR®, KAFFIBRE®, KA-ZuN™) to personal care, nutraceutical, and functional food manufacturers. Ingredients are sold in bulk to formulators and brand owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kaffe Bueno upcycles spent coffee grounds and coffee oil — by-products of brewing — into a portfolio of branded, clinically validated active and functional ingredients (oils, melanoidin biopolymers, surfactants, fibre, and coated UV filters) sold in bulk to personal care, nutraceutical, and functional food manufacturers. Production is carried out at the world's first dedicated coffee biorefinery in Copenhagen (inaugurated 2023), using proprietary green chemistry and biotechnology to extract antioxidants, fatty acids, diterpene esters, melanoidins, and proteins for use as sustainable, NATRUE/Ecocert Cosmos-approved alternatives to argan/palm oil, sulphates, and petrochemical-derived cosmetic inputs.

Product overview

Kaffe Bueno is a Danish bioscience company that operates as a pioneering upcycling platform, transforming coffee by-products into high-performance natural ingredients. The company offers a portfolio of branded ingredient products including: KAFFOIL® and KAFFOIL-R® (upcycled coffee oils for haircare and skincare, sustainable alternatives to argan/palm oils), KAFFAGE® (multifunctional active biopolymer for anti-ageing and SPF boosting), KAFFAIR® (hair and scalp treatment active), KAFFIBRE® (coffee fiber ingredient), and KLEANSTANT® (bio-based anionic surfactant). The company operates the world's first coffee biorefinery in Copenhagen, Denmark, enabling full-spectrum extraction of bioactive compounds from coffee. Ingredients serve multiple industries including personal care (primary), human nutrition (coming soon), soil & crop health, and animal health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KAFFOIL®: Upcycled coffee oil ingredient for personal care, a sustainable alternative to argan and jojoba oils
• KAFFAGE®
• KAFFAIR®
• KAFFIBRE®
• KLEANSTANT®
• KAFFOIL-R®
• KA-ZuN™
• We Are Nature

Products and services

• KLEANSTANT® Upcycled bio-based anionic surfactant derived from KAFFOIL® coffee oil. Contains potassium salts of palmitic and linoleic acids, polyphenols, tocopherols, and diterpene esters. Provides cleansing, emulsifying, foaming, antioxidant and moisturising properties for personal care formulations. Sold in bulk to cosmetics and personal care manufacturers; free from sulphates, petroleum and palm derivatives.
• KAFFAGE® Patented multifunctional active biopolymer derived from coffee melanoidins, isolated industrially for the first time by Kaffe Bueno. Provides anti-ageing benefits, UV-induced glycation prevention, skin hydration, firmness and elasticity improvement, and SPF boosting. Used in skincare, BB/CC creams, foundations, concealers, and tinted sunscreens. Available in variants KAFFAGE®, KAFFAGE-B®, KAFFAGE-D® and KAFFAGE-BD®.
• KAFFOIL® First upcycled lipophilic extract derived from coffee by-products. Rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, diterpene esters, and proteins. Used in haircare and skincare for nourishment, sun protection, anti-ageing, skin repair, and moisturising. Demonstrated superior performance to argan oil in reducing hair breakage and split ends, and increasing hair shine. Sold in bulk to personal care manufacturers.
• KAFFOIL-R® Semi-refined version of KAFFOIL® coffee oil, lighter in colour and smell. Performs on par with argan oil in increasing hair shine, preventing breakage, reducing split ends and repairing chemically damaged hair. A sustainable alternative to argan and palm oil, sold in bulk to personal care formulators.
• KAFFAIR® Upcycled phenolic active for hair and scalp treatments. Stimulates expression of human growth factor genes (IGF1, VEGF, FGF7) in human cells, strengthening hair follicles, supporting hair density and thickness, and helping prevent hair loss. Provides antioxidant and anti-pollution benefits. Available in water-soluble (dispersion) and oil-soluble (powder) versions. Sold to personal care and animal nutrition manufacturers.
• KAFFIBRE® Coffee-derived fibre ingredient for personal care applications. Sold to personal care formulators as an upcycled fibre/exfoliant input.
• KA-ZuN™ Upcycled coated mineral UV filter consisting of Zinc Oxide coated with a proprietary bioactive polymer. Reduces the white cast effect of ZnO, addresses its photocatalytic activity, and improves solubility for easier formulation in sun care and colour cosmetics. Sold to personal care manufacturers.
• Coffee Biorefinery (production facility) The world's first dedicated coffee biorefinery, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Uses proprietary green chemistry and biotechnology to upcycle coffee by-products (spent coffee grounds, coffee oil) into active and functional ingredients, utilising 100% of coffee bean biomass versus <1% in brewing. The facility underpins production of KAFFOIL®, KAFFAGE®, KLEANSTANT®, KAFFAIR®, KAFFIBRE® and KA-ZuN™.

Quantifiable outcome

• KAFFAGE-D® increased skin hydration by +29.6% after 14 days (174% higher than placebo) and reduced crow's feet wrinkle depth by 12% after 28 days
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AIMPLAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Kaffe Bueno is one of 17 partners in the SOLRESS project, funded with €7 million from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (total budget €9.1 million over 48 months). The project aims to develop bio-based solvents from organic wastes including coffee grounds for paints, cosmetics, and industrial materials processing. AIMPLAS leads the consortium.
• StoraEnsocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Partner in the SOLRESS project developing bio-based solvents from second-generation biomass waste. StoraEnso contributes expertise in lignocellulosic materials and bio-based solutions.
• Ghent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Academic partner in the SOLRESS project consortium of 17 European entities, contributing research expertise to the development of bio-based solvents from coffee grounds and lignocellulosic waste.
• Maha ChemicalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distribution partner for Kaffe Bueno in Indonesia. Maha Chemicals accepted the ICI Best Ingredients Award 2025 Gold alongside Kaffe Bueno in Jakarta, representing the company's commercial partnership for the Southeast Asian market.
• URAI S.p.A. (LEL GROUP LLC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian distribution partner for Kaffe Bueno, co-exhibiting at in-cosmetics Global events. URAI S.p.A. is part of LEL GROUP LLC and represents Kaffe Bueno's commercial presence in the Italian market.
• CellugyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Kaffe Bueno and Cellugy, another Danish bioscience startup based in the Alfa Laval Innovation House. Both companies showcased their ingredients at In-Cosmetics Global 2023 and conducted mutual interviews to promote the Danish personal care industry. Cellugy uses cellulose to create sustainable ingredients.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Symrise: Major flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic ingredients supplier with deep personal care and nutraceutical exposure. Overlaps with Kaffe Bueno in bioactive ingredients and in pursuing natural/upcycled claims for cosmetic formulators as part of a much larger portfolio.
• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals producer with a significant personal care and cosmetics ingredients business (e.g., surfactants, actives). Competes with Kaffe Bueno's KLEANSTANT® and KAFFAGE® for the same formulation slots within multinational brand customers.
• Givaudan: World's largest flavors and fragrances company, with a growing natural and biotech-derived active ingredients platform for personal care. Competes for the same natural actives budget at brand owners and offers formulators an alternative route to sustainability claims.
• Croda International: Global specialty chemicals company and one of the largest suppliers of personal care and cosmetic ingredients. Comparable as the broad incumbent whose portfolio Kaffe Bueno's natural actives compete with for formulators' INCI lists, though Croda's scale, distribution, and R&D budget dwarf Kaffe Bueno's.
• DSM-Firmenich: Dutch-Swiss nutrition, health, and beauty ingredients group formed from DSM and Firmenich. Direct overlap with Kaffe Bueno across personal care actives, nutraceuticals, and animal nutrition, with established sales coverage in markets where Kaffe Bueno currently lacks direct presence.
• BASF: Largest chemical producer globally with a substantial personal care ingredients portfolio including bio-based surfactants and actives. Competes at the commodity-to-specialty end of the same ingredient categories Kaffe Bueno targets, but with vastly greater scale and global reach.

Direct peers

• Bio-bean: UK-based bioscience company that upcycles spent coffee grounds into biofuel logs, pellets, and biochemicals. Operates its own coffee waste processing facility and is the closest direct analog to Kaffe Bueno in extracting value from the same spent coffee feedstock, though Bio-bean skews toward energy/materials rather than cosmetic actives.
• Lignovations GmbH: Austrian/German biotech upcycling lignin from plant biomass into cosmetic and industrial ingredients. Fellow Borregaard portfolio company (paired with Kaffe Bueno in the Q4 2024 NOK 20M writedown), with a comparable biorefinery-from-waste platform model serving personal care and industrial customers.

Emerging players

• Cellugy: Danish bioscience startup co-located with Kaffe Bueno at the Alfa Laval Innovation House, producing cellulose-derived sustainable personal care ingredients. Similar company-stage, geography, and end-market focus, and an explicit collaboration partner, making it the closest emerging-stage peer.
• Arda Biomaterials: UK-based startup developing protein-based materials from agricultural waste for fashion and personal care applications. Shares Kaffe Bueno's upcycle-an-underutilized-biomass thesis and B2B ingredients model, though targeting different downstream end-products and applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kaffebueno
• Facebookfacebook.com/kaffebueno1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaffe-bueno-aps.
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaffebueno

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors10 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kaffe Bueno