Suntory turns used green tea leaves into peat moss alternative

Suntory Holdings and Suntory Flowers have announced the development of Teamoss, a new horticultural soil material made from upcycled manufacturing residues — primarily used green tea leaves from Suntory Beverage & Food plants — that serves as a peat moss alternative.

“Through the creation of new technologies, we will continue to take on the challenge of addressing environmental issues and promote initiatives that contribute to sustainability,” said Daigo Suginobu, president of Suntory Flowers.

Following research for effective upcycling of agriculture residues, Suntory developed and piloted Teamoss. The primary raw material is used green tea leaves from Suntory's beverage plants, combined with wood chips and processed through a proprietary, patent-pending method.

Domestic and internal manufacturing waste sourcing of ingredients positions Teamoss as a commercially viable product, with production and sales planned to begin in Japan in 2027 and potential expansion into other markets thereafter, the company said.

In pilot tests with flower and vegetable seedlings, Suntory said that Teamoss matched and in some cases outperformed conventional peat moss in plant growth.

The company will promote initiatives such as establishing a mass production structure and conducting cultivation trials across a wider range of flower and vegetable seedlings. Suntory Holdings said it will also consider the use of other manufacturing residues generated across its supply chain beyond used green tea leaves.

Read more from Suntory here.