We get a fair number of enquiries about whether we produce pods compatible with the Nespresso VertuoLine machines. The short answer is that we do not.

But why not, you ask?

Well, the long answer has various factors that need to be understood.

Proprietary design

Unlike the original line of Nespresso pods, the VertuoLine design is proprietary and protected by a legal patent. This means that third-party pod manufacturers (like us) are unable to design a similar style of pod.

Barcoded pods

This proprietary design includes a barcode on the pod’s rim. The Vertuo machine reads this barcode, calibrating the temperature and extraction to suit the type of pod. These barcodes are also difficult to reproduce.

The Vertuo pod’s patent means that, unfortunately, Nespresso have a monopoly on the market for this pod design. This ensures customers only go to them for their Vertuo pods, which ends up being anti-consumer as it prevents third-party brands from providing alternatives and competing over price.

Let’s do a quick comparison:

Whilst Nespresso does have a recycling system in place if a customer returns the pods to them, we have found that this isn’t convenient for many people. As a result, they end up putting their pods into their general waste bin – which then goes to landfill. Nespresso has also been very tight-lipped about disclosing just how many of their pods are recycled in their system each year.

Another  comparison: