Nespresso plans to spend 500 million Swiss francs (€414m) in the next six years in an effort to improve the environmental and social impact of Europe's biggest single-serve coffee brand.
he Nestle division's sustainability program will include 15 million francs to assist farmers in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, Nespresso said. It also plans to increase the recycling of Nespresso capsules and reduce the company's carbon footprint by 10pc and become carbon- neutral.
Nespresso will open its first standalone Irish store on Dublin's Duke Street in October.
It currently employs 38 full- and part-time staff at Brown Thomas outlets in Dublin and Cork.
The new Dublin store will be over two floors and will include a self-service area as well as tasting facilities.
Nespresso is expanding its efforts after exceeding goals set in 2009 to improve farmer welfare through sustainable coffee sourcing. The brand has faced increasing competition from lower- priced systems as well as capsules made by rivals that work in its machines.
The investment "includes securing access to the 1-2pc of coffee produce in the world that meets our strict quality and taste standards," Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Duvoisin said.
"This approach also allows us to innovate thanks to the direct relationships we build with farmers."