NEXE Innovation Inc., formally known as G-Pak technology, launched its XOMA Keto micro-ground compostable coffee pods. These pods are compatible with the Keurig machine, so it could provide competition to Keurig Green Mountain. Not to be outdone, Keurig announced in December 2020 that it has successfully developed recyclable K-Cup® pods. NEXE and Keuring are competing for market space, and patents may be the deciding factor.

Keurig Green Mountain has zero patent documents directed towards compostable coffee pods whereas NEXE has filed 10 US provisional patent assets between May 2020 and January 2021. Additionally, G-Pak technology has 3 patent assets in the Biodegradable Packaging Patent Forecast® which indicates that NEXE has the patent advantage over Keurig Green Mountain. Keurig Green Mountain may need to consider developing a licensing deal or altering its Keurig machine if NEXE continues to encroach on its market.  Keurig Green Mountain and Nexe can’t lose sight of their other competitors such as Lavazza, which has 11 patent assets in the past 5 years. These patent assets are directed towards variations of cartridges for the preparation of liquid products.

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