Illy and Beanology launch recycled-material On The Go coffee bars in UK

Illy has started rolling out a modular bean‑to‑cup self‑service format called Illy On The Go in the UK, aiming to secure 1,000 placements over the next five years and to bring its 100% Arabica blend into retail, universities, hotels, leisure clubs and workplace locations. The machines are described by Illy and partners as made from 95% recycled materials, with 30% of the unit composed of waste coffee grounds, and the rollout began in February 2026.

The Illy On The Go units will serve Illy’s single blend of 100% Arabica beans, a blend Refreshmentmag cites as “known for its smooth, velvety flavour.” Illy presents the format as delivering café quality in a self‑service format; Illy UK & IE managing director Marcello Canetti said: “We know a growing number of consumers are looking for convenience in their coffee. However, consumers simply aren’t willing to compromise on taste or ethics,” said Illy UK & IE managing director Marcello Canetti. “We’ve spent decades perfecting our premium blend of 100% Arabica beans, and we’re proud to bring our signature taste to a self‑serve machine. The Illy name will give both consumers – and our retail and foodservice partners – confidence that their coffee will always be of a barista‑level quality, whatever the format,” Canetti added.

Beanology is handling the UK partnership and is described in press materials as a coffee‑to‑go specialist that will deliver installation, servicing and “brand guardian” support to retailer and foodservice partners. Beanology founder Kerry Burvill framed the move as a response to shifting expectations: “Demand for on‑the‑go coffee has evolved rapidly, with customers now expecting café‑quality drinks delivered through reliable, automated formats. Beanology was developed to meet that need with innovative machine solutions. Our partnership with illy brings a clear point of difference to a market that now expects a higher standard.”

Illy positions the programme as an extension of its existing UK footprint, which PublicSectorCatering reports already places Illy’s premium blend in more than 2,000 UK hospitality venues. The new machines are slated for a broad set of venue types explicitly listed by Illy and partners: retail, foodservice, convenience, education and university sites, hotels and hospitality, leisure clubs and workplace locations.

Market context underpins the push: trade coverage cites The Business Research Company to say the global self‑serve coffee bars market was worth nearly £4.8bn in 2024 and is expected to approach about £7bn by 2029. Illy and Beanology are pitching the Illy On The Go machines as a way for retailers and operators to tap that growth while invoking Illy’s quality credentials and Beanology’s on‑the‑go experience. The next steps to watch are where the initial UK sites appear and how operators handle pricing, cupware and ongoing servicing as the rollout targets its 1,000 units over five years.