Developing a Cleaning Capsule for Nespresso Compatible Machines

Safe Cleaning is a Korean brand focused on coffee machine cleaning and maintenance products. As capsule coffee adoption increased in Korea, the brand saw an opportunity to make machine cleaning easier for everyday users.

Traditional cleaning methods can require measuring cleaning agents, adding liquids, removing parts or following several manual steps. Safe Cleaning wanted to create a capsule-format cleaning product for Nespresso Original compatible machines. Consumers could place the cleaning capsule into the machine and run a cleaning cycle in a familiar way, similar to brewing a coffee capsule.

The idea was simple for the consumer, but technically specific. A cleaning capsule must be compatible with the machine, protect the powder formula during storage and release the formula properly during use.

The Challenge

The product needed to work in Nespresso Original compatible machines. That meant the capsule had to pierce correctly, accept hot water, release the powder formulation and allow stable flow through the machine.

The filling material was not coffee. It was the customer's own powder cleaning formula. The capsule structure had to prevent moisture exposure during storage and transport, because powder cleaning materials can lose performance or clump if the sealing system is weak.

The product also had to be safe, stable and suitable for repeatable production. A cleaning capsule that leaks, pierces incorrectly or releases powder unevenly would not meet consumer expectations.

ONWIN's Solution

ONWIN began with compatibility analysis for the Nespresso Original system. The team reviewed capsule dimensions, cup structure, top sealing area, piercing zone and water-flow path. Several structure combinations were tested to find the most suitable format for a powder cleaning product.

Material and sealing selection were especially important. ONWIN tested capsule body material, aluminum sealing film and overall package tightness to protect the powder from moisture. The goal was to keep the formula stable in storage while ensuring it dissolves and releases efficiently during the cleaning cycle.

After sample development, ONWIN carried out functional validation, including piercing tests, water injection tests, flow tests, powder release tests, seal integrity checks and practical cleaning-use simulations.

The capsule appearance was also customized to align with Safe Cleaning's product line and brand identity. This helped the new capsule format look like a professional maintenance product rather than a generic capsule.

The Result

Safe Cleaning launched a capsule-format coffee machine cleaning product. Compared with traditional cleaning methods, the capsule format reduced the user's operation steps and made cleaning feel more familiar.

Consumers can place the capsule into the machine and run a cleaning cycle without separate measuring or complicated preparation. For the brand, the product expanded its coffee machine maintenance portfolio and created a more convenient cleaning solution for Korean and overseas channels.

Why This Case Matters

Functional capsules are not limited to coffee, tea or beverages. Cleaning, wellness and other powder-based products can also use capsule systems when the structure and formula are developed correctly.

The key is not only filling powder into a capsule. The capsule must match the machine system, protect the formulation and release it reliably. This case shows how ONWIN supports product development from compatibility design to sealing validation and production readiness.