S.Café® yarn embeds spent coffee grounds in recycled polyester, giving fabric up to 200 % faster drying, natural odor absorption, and 35 % lower CO₂e than virgin PET. Each T-shirt diverts ~3 cups of coffee residue from landfill.
Sources: Singtex Patent US20190311921, Textile Exchange 2025 PFM.
Why write about coffee you wear, not brew?
I first met coffee-ground fabric at an ultramarathon expo: a runner waved a shirt and said, “Smell—still fresh after 80 km.” Skeptical, I sniff-tested—no stale sweat, no latte aroma. Intrigued, I toured the Taiwanese mill that recycles café waste into performance yarn. This article distills that caffeine-fuelled deep dive for you.
What exactly is coffee-ground fabric?
It’s a polyester (often recycled) or nylon yarn infused with activated coffee grounds. Micro-porous coffee particles lock into the fibre’s surface, creating odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying textiles ideal for sportswear.
How are coffee grounds transformed into fibre?
- Collect & dry post-consumer grounds from cafés.
- Activate grounds at 200 °C to enlarge pore volume.
- Blend micro-capsules (≤0.5 µm) into molten recycled PET during extrusion, forming S.Café® masterbatch.
- Spin & weave yarn into breathable, soft fabrics without extra chemical finishes.
Is coffee-ground fabric sustainable?
Yes—when two conditions are met:
- Grounds are post-consumer waste (circular feedstock).
- Base polymer is rPET rather than virgin PET, trimming CO₂e by 35 %. Full LCAs in the Sustainable Fashion Master Guide benchmark coffee yarn alongside rPET and bamboo viscose.
Does the garment smell like coffee?
No. Activation removes flavour oils; the fibres are odor-neutral yet deodorize sweat by trapping volatile amines. Blind panel tests show 25 % less odor intensity than untreated rPET after a 30-minute spin-class.
How does it perform versus classic synthetics?
PropertyCoffee-Ground FabricVirgin PolyesterMerino WoolDry-time ↓ (vs. cotton)–200 %–100 %–160 %Odor retention after 5 washesLowHighVery LowMicro-fibre sheddingSimilar to rPET—NoneUV protection (UPF)35+15–2025
Coffee micro-capsules scatter UV, boosting UPF to 35+.
Any downsides or care quirks?
Coffee yarn can pill if knitted loosely; opt for tight jersey construction. Wash cold, inside-out; heat above 180 °C can degrade micro-capsules.
Best use-cases in 2025
- Marathon tees & running socks (Ryzon®).
- Travel polos that skip deodorant re-sprays.
- Lightweight hoodies in a breathable capsule wardrobe.
Quick Green Answers (FAQ)
Post-consumer coffee grounds blended into recycled polyester or nylon to create odor-resistant, quick-drying yarn.
No. High-heat activation removes aroma oils; finished garments are scent-neutral.
Yes—grounds are repurposed waste, and mills use recycled PET, lowering carbon by ~35% vs. virgin polyester.
Lab tests show >90% effectiveness after 50 wash cycles because coffee particles are embedded, not surface-coated.
The coffee particles biodegrade, but the polyester base does not; recycle the garment through rPET loops instead.
Thread the Next Loop (Reading Trail)
- rPET vs. Ocean-Plastics Fabric – compare base polymers.
- Hemp Denim Carbon Math – see another waste-saving fibre.
- Greenwashing Checklist – vet “coffee shirt” claims.
- Sustainable Fashion Master Guide 2025 – full fibre rankings.
Source Library
- Singtex S.Café® Patent US20190311921 – process & performance data
Textile Exchange PFM Report 2025 – Carbon & Water Footprints
The Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report provides insights into the environmental impacts of various fibers, including carbon and water footprints.
- Access the report: Textile Exchange Reports Archive
Ocean Wise Microfiber Shedding Study 2024 – Comparative Shedding Figures
Ocean Wise has conducted studies on microfiber pollution, focusing on fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles.
- Read the study summary: Ocean Wise Blog