Clean, Plant-Based Ingredients

Natrue is 100% plant-based and dairy-free, making it suitable for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant, as well as customers simply choosing to reduce dairy consumption.

A key part of its appeal is its clean ingredient list. Natrue products contain no artificial flavours, stabilisers, thickeners, or added sugars. The focus is on simple, recognisable ingredients. For cafés, this transparency matters. Customers are paying closer attention to what goes into their drinks, and clean-label products help build trust.

Designed for Coffee

Performance behind the bar is just as important as ingredients. Natrue’s Barista range has been developed specifically for use in coffee machines. It steams smoothly, creates a consistent microfoam, and holds its texture well. It also remains stable when combined with espresso, avoiding the splitting issues sometimes associated with plant-based milks.

The flavour profile is balanced and neutral, allowing the characteristics of the coffee to come through rather than being overpowered.

Nutritional Fortification

Selected Natrue products are fortified with calcium and vitamins such as D2 and B12, helping to bridge the nutritional gap often associated with dairy-free alternatives. This gives cafés confidence when offering plant-based options to customers who still want nutritional reassurance.

Certified B Corp

Natrue is B Corp certified, meaning it meets recognised standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. As a company that also values responsible business practices, Watermark Coffee believes it’s important to partner with brands that take sustainability seriously.

For hospitality businesses, working with B Corp certified suppliers can support broader ESG objectives and strengthen sustainability messaging in a credible way.

Commercially Viable

Quality and sustainability must also work commercially. Natrue offers competitive pricing, making it a practical option for cafés balancing margin management with customer demand for premium plant-based milk.

Through Watermark Coffee’s Irish B2B distribution network, businesses can access reliable supply, consistent product quality, and support from a team that understands the realities of hospitality operations.

Meeting Changing Customer Expectations

Offering a strong alternative milk is no longer optional. It’s part of delivering inclusive, modern hospitality. Natrue Alternative Milk provides a combination of clean ingredients, dependable barista performance, recognised sustainability credentials, and competitive pricing.

For cafés looking to strengthen their plant-based offering without compromising on quality or values, it’s a straightforward choice.

Friday, November 7th marked an important milestone for the Green Ocean Dun Laoghaire project and for marine restoration in Ireland. In the early hours of the morning, 18,000 native oysters made their journey from Tralee Bay in County Kerry to their new home in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Travelling overnight, they arrived at 6am, where a team of more than 30 volunteers, working in four teams and supported by three RIB boats, raced against time to get them safely into the water. By 2pm, every oyster had been carefully placed into its new floating basket along the middle breakwater pier, marking another significant step toward restoring ocean biodiversity in Dublin Bay.

Oysters as Environmental Engineers

Oysters play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Each oyster can filter up to 190 litres of seawater per day, feeding on plankton and nitrates and resulting in clearer, cleaner water. This clarity allows sunlight to reach the seafloor, encouraging seaweed and seagrass to photosynthesise and flourish, which in turn creates nursery habitats for fish and other marine life. Oysters also help stabilise the seabed by reducing turbidity and providing anchor points for seaweed and seagrass. These natural structures make the ecosystem more resilient to waves and storm surges, strengthening the harbour’s environmental balance.

Building on Phases 1 and 2

As with any project, the early stages were crucial in shaping the path forward. The Phase 1 pilot, launched in 2023 with 450 oysters, provided key insights into the high survival and growth rates of native oysters, along with confirmed reproduction and settlement of larvae on test trays. However, the original basket system proved labour-intensive, as marine growth on the baskets required constant manual cleaning, which limited scalability for larger restoration efforts.

Phase 3 Innovation: Floating Flip Baskets

Following advice from our partners at Bord Iascaigh Mara, we sought to use a floating flip basket system developed in New Zealand. This innovative design allows the baskets to be flipped every number of weeks (depending on the time of year), enabling seabirds to naturally clean away marine build-up, a simple and effective nature-based solution to what had been a major maintenance challenge. The new system reduces manual labour, supports sustainable scaling, and enhances the potential for long-term oyster restoration in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Toward an Oyster Reef

Native European flat oysters spawn when water temperatures reach around 15 degrees Celsius, typically in July or August. Each female can release up to 1.5 million fertilised larvae, which float for about ten days before settling on a suitable surface. Because these oysters prefer to attach to other oyster shells, they will not dominate local marine life. To encourage natural settlement, shell substrate will be spread near the floating baskets in April or May 2026, helping to lay the groundwork for a thriving oyster reef in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and contributing to broader native oyster restoration across Ireland’s coastline.

A Scientific Roadmap

Measuring environmental impact is a critical part of this project. Professor Fiona Regan and her team at Dublin City University’s Water Institute began baseline water quality studies during the summer of 2025. They are tracking key indicators to monitor changes in water clarity, biodiversity, and ecosystem health over time. This ongoing research will provide valuable data on how oyster restoration influences marine water quality and habitat regeneration, with results shared publicly as the project develops.

A Shared Source of Joy

While November 7th was not especially cold, it was relentlessly wet; yet the mood on the pier remained upbeat and determined. Volunteers from Goodbody Stockbrokers, Matheson LLP, Jenkinson Logistics, Vagabond Tours, and the scientific team from DCU all joined forces, working side by side toward a shared goal. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was filled with energy, teamwork, and positivity. Witnessing this collaboration, and being part of it, was deeply uplifting. It was a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together to protect and restore the natural world. It truly was a life-enhancing and magical experience.

If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact us at info@greenoceanfoundation.ie

My thanks to everyone who made this a reality!

Best wishes

David

The Environmental Footprint of Coffee

Traditional coffee farming can put pressure on natural resources. Unsustainable practices—such as deforestation, overuse of water, and chemical-heavy farming—harm ecosystems and contribute to climate change. With climate patterns shifting, coffee-growing regions are already feeling the effects, from unpredictable harvests to reduced yields. This makes sustainability not just an environmental concern, but also a way to safeguard the long-term availability and quality of coffee itself.

How Sustainable Sourcing Makes a Difference

Sustainable coffee sourcing focuses on practices that protect the environment, improve livelihoods for farmers, and ensure transparency in the supply chain. This can mean paying fair prices to growers, supporting biodiversity through shade-grown coffee, or investing in community projects in coffee-growing regions. For businesses, it means offering a product customers can feel good about—something that’s increasingly important as consumers actively seek out eco-friendly and ethically sourced options.

Sourcing Direct from Farm – Charles Mutwiri’s Story

At Watermark Coffee, sustainability starts at the source. One of our key partnerships is with Charles Mutwiri, a dedicated coffee farmer from Kenya who produces exceptional shade-grown coffee in harmony with nature. On his farm, coffee plants grow under the canopy of native trees, which protect soil health, conserve water, and create habitats for birds and pollinators.

By sourcing directly from Charles, we ensure that the coffee is not only of the highest quality but also grown using regenerative practices that preserve biodiversity. Direct trade means Charles receives a fair, stable income—empowering him to continue farming in a way that benefits both people and the planet. For our customers, it means traceable coffee with a story worth telling.

Green Ocean Coffee – Protecting Our Seas

Our Green Ocean Coffee range is another example of sustainability in action. Every bag sold directly funds projects that restore and protect marine ecosystems in Ireland. These initiatives improve water quality and improve biodiversity in our waters, restoring coastal habitats, and raise public awareness about ocean conservation. Every coffee break becomes a small but meaningful step toward healthier seas.

Woodland Coffee – Growing Forests, One Cup at a Time

Our Woodland Coffee range brings sustainability back to land. For every case purchased, we plant trees in our County Limerick plantation, helping to restore woodlands, improve biodiversity, and capture carbon. These projects fight climate change while creating thriving habitats for wildlife.

Why It Matters for Irish Businesses

Today’s customers are informed and values-driven. Offering sustainably sourced coffee—whether it’s shade-grown beans from Charles Mutwiri, ocean-friendly Green Ocean Coffee, or tree-planting Woodland Coffee—allows Irish businesses to align with those values. Choosing partners like Watermark Coffee means making every cup count for our oceans, our forests, and our farming communities.

For those who may not be familiar, the UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals. It’s built around ten principles covering human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. By joining, we are deepening our commitment to operate responsibly and transparently, while continuing to grow as a positive force in our industry and community.

What This Means for Us (and for You)

As a small Irish B2B coffee company, we’re rooted in community and grounded in values. Becoming a signatory of the UN Global Compact strengthens our focus on key areas such as:

• Human Rights & Labour Standards: We value fairness, equality, and dignity in the workplace. Our team already reflects this, with a strong track record in gender balance, internal promotion, and inclusive recruitment. This new commitment keeps us accountable and moving forward.

• Environmental Responsibility: Through initiatives like Green Ocean and our climate action partnerships, we’ve taken local steps with real environmental benefits. As part of the Compact, we’ll continue to measure, manage, and minimise our impact with even more purpose.

• Ethical Business Practices: Trust and transparency are at the heart of how we work with suppliers and customers. We’re aligning our operations with international best practice, ensuring that ethics remain central to how we do business every day.

Looking Ahead

Joining the UN Global Compact isn’t just a badge—it’s a promise. It means continuing to challenge ourselves, sharing our progress openly, and learning from others across industries and borders. Whether it’s through reducing carbon footprints, supporting equality, or improving working conditions, we’re committed to contributing meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals.

We’re excited about this journey and grateful for the support of our customers, partners, and community who share our belief that business can be a powerful force for good.

Together, we’ll keep brewing something better.

For more about the UN Global Compact and its principles, visit unglobalcompact.org.

🏆 Sustainability Champion Award
🏆 Beverage Supplier of the Year

It’s an incredible honour and a real testament to the ongoing dedication of the Watermark team. These awards reflect our commitment to doing “better together”—working as a force for good not just within our business, but in the wider community around us. Huge congratulations to the whole team!

The event, brilliantly led by Guaranteed Irish CEO Brid O’Connell and her passionate team, celebrates the impact of Irish businesses on both the economy and society. The night was full of energy and laughs thanks to the ever-entertaining Mario Rosenstock, whose quick wit and brilliant impressions kept the atmosphere light and lively.

Speeches from Brid and Damien McCann, Chairman of Guaranteed Irish, offered powerful reminders of the vital role SMEs play in Ireland; from supporting jobs and local suppliers to fuelling innovation and community life. It’s easy to lose sight of that contribution during day-to-day challenges, but last night was a welcome moment to pause, reflect, and take pride in the work we all do.

Thanks again to Guaranteed Irish for a fantastic evening and here’s to another year of progress, purpose, and coffee!

The team of , Watermark Coffee, winner of Guaranteed Irish Sustainability Champion, sponsored by Cuisine de France at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, proudly supported by PTSB presented by Fergus O’Sullivan, Cuisine de France (right).

We filmed the piece in 4 locations (our garage at home, Dun Laoghaire Marina, Fenit Pier, Co Kerry and Howth Yacht Club).  Early one October morning we assembled in Tralee Bay Oyster Co-op alongside the Ear to the Ground presenter, Ella McSweeney, the manager of the Co-Op, Denis O’Shea, Paula and the Ear to the Ground production team, Marguerite and myself.  We were there to explain why we were in Tralee, what biosecurity involved and what we hope to achieve with the Green Ocean project.  After much oyster scrubbing, 3 days of depuration in artificial sea water tanks to further clean the oysters on the inside, we brought the oysters to Howth Yacht Club where we were helped by Aideen, Kevin of Howth Yacht Club and their team of members to deploy the oysters in their new Dublin homes.

While being involved in the production was a lot of fun, the value of being featured is significant.  The objective of the story is to demonstrate to the viewer that climate action is possible by ordinary people coming together with an idea and driving that idea to a conclusion.  To many people, the ocean is a bit on an enigma, its blue, its cold, fish come from it, but that its.  I hope that our opportunity to tell the Green Ocean story will inform the viewer on how important our coastal seas are in counteracting climate change while also improving marine biodiversity and the health and livelihoods for communities living around the coast.  But the main message is…our oysters are Climate Heroes!

I am really confident that our project will bring about our desire to see the native Irish oyster re-established in more Irish coastal waters, but what really gives great satisfaction is knowing that our story will inspire others, both young and old to see the ocean differently and perhaps start a project of their own!

Thank you Paula, Daisy, Ella, Denis, Alan, Nessa, Grace, Aideen, Paola, Kevin, Paal, Michael, Neil and of course, Marguerite for scrubbing those oysters and putting up with it all!

David

Introducing the Green Ocean Foundation

The Green Ocean Foundation CLG is a newly incorporated ‘not for profit’ community based organisation that will manage and deliver marine environmental projects with local impact in Ireland. Its a bold step in addressing climate challenges through actionable, community-driven solutions. Building on Watermark Coffee’s sustainability legacy, this dedicated platform is designed to expand our efforts and protect the marine environment while inspiring individuals, businesses, and organisations to join forces for a better future.

The Foundation is founded on two core objectives:

• Restoring Marine Biodiversity: Utilising nature-based solutions to rebuild ecosystems, improve water quality, and sequester carbon.
• Raising Ocean Awareness: Educating and engaging communities to emphasise the ocean’s critical role in combating climate change through involvement in impactful initiatives.

Why “Green Ocean”?

The name “Green Ocean” reflects the interconnectedness of life, climate, and ecosystems. Recognising that meaningful climate action demands a collective effort far greater than what we can achieve alone, the Green Ocean Foundation aims to become a scalable platform for broader impact. It will serve as a hub for businesses, schools, and community groups to contribute to sustainable projects while amplifying their reach and effect.

This is more than an initiative; it’s a call to action for collaboration that turns individual contributions into waves of change.

What the Green Ocean Foundation Will Do

The Green Ocean Foundation will focus on four key areas to drive real and measurable change:

1. Climate Action Projects

Our projects are designed to revitalise marine ecosystems through innovative, nature-based solutions. By focusing on rebuilding lost biodiversity, enhancing water quality, and increasing carbon capture, we aim to create thriving, resilient marine environments.

These initiatives are thoughtfully managed and delivered along Ireland’s coastline, ensuring a profound local impact while contributing to a significant global environmental dividend. Through these efforts, we strive to not only protect but also restore the vital ecosystems that underpin life on Earth.

2. Education and Awareness

Creating lasting change begins with understanding. Through talks in schools, hands-on workshops, and participation in public events, the Foundation will equip the next generation with the knowledge and tools to become champions of sustainability.

3. Community Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of our mission. The Foundation will work closely with local councils, businesses, and community organisations to co-design projects that bring tangible benefits to both people and the planet.

4. Transparency and Impact Reporting

To ensure trust and accountability, all Foundation initiatives will be measured and publicly reported. This transparency will allow stakeholders to see the direct impact of their contributions and motivate ongoing participation.

How You Can Get Involved

The Green Ocean Foundation is a collective effort, and we invite everyone to play a part in shaping a sustainable future:

• Businesses: Partner with us on innovative projects that align with your values.
• Schools: Host an educational talk or involve students in our hands-on initiatives.
• Individuals: Volunteer your time at community events or support climate action campaigns.
• Organisations: Collaborate with us to create custom programmes addressing specific environmental challenges.

Together, we can transform small actions into big changes.

The Future Starts Now

The launch of the Green Ocean Foundation is more than a milestone—it’s the beginning of a movement. By coming together, we can create a future where sustainability is a shared responsibility and where every action contributes to protecting our planet for generations to come.

For more information on the Green Ocean Foundation and how you can get involved, visit GreenOceanFoundation.ie

Let’s make a difference!

What is B Corp Certification?

For those new to the concept, B Corp Certification is awarded by the non-profit B Lab to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corps are recognised globally for their commitment to using business as a force for good, balancing profit with purpose to deliver long-term benefits for society, the environment, and their stakeholders. This certification requires a rigorous assessment across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

Our certification journey pushed us to scrutinise and improve our practices, ensuring we meet B Lab’s high standards in all areas of our business. We’re incredibly proud to now join a global community of over 4,000 businesses that share a similar mission to prioritise purpose and impact.

Why B Corp Certification Matters to Us

From the beginning, Watermark Coffee has operated with a strong sense of responsibility towards sustainability and social impact. This certification formalises our commitment to these values, holding us accountable and inspiring us to continuously improve. For us, it’s not just about the coffee – it’s about how we can contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world.

Our dedication to environmental responsibility includes a range of high-impact projects funded through our coffee sales, each of which drives meaningful change. These projects range from community-led climate initiatives to educational outreach, helping to foster awareness and action across Ireland. Our Woodland Coffee and Green Ocean Coffee brands exemplify our belief in collaboration to expand our impact and support projects that benefit both people and the planet.

How Our Certification Impacts Our Clients and Community

Becoming a B Corp strengthens our commitment to delivering value and impact for our clients and community. As a B2B company serving corporate and hospitality clients across Ireland, our clients can be assured that their choice to work with us supports a business that upholds high ethical and sustainable standards while contributing to high-impact environmental projects here in Ireland. For our community, this certification reaffirms our dedication to our local environmental projects in Limerick, Dublin, and Mayo.

We’ve always believed in taking an active role in our community, offering educational programmes and participating in community-led environmental actions. B Corp Certification only intensifies our dedication to these initiatives and our drive to create a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable future.

What’s Next for Watermark Coffee as a B Corp?

With our B Corp Certification, Watermark Coffee is more energised than ever to amplify our impact. As we expand our Green Ocean and Woodland Projects each year, we’re committed to increasing our transparent, positive climate actions that create tangible local environmental impacts. Moving forward, a primary focus for Watermark Coffee will be to enhance our efforts in nature-positive business practices—aligning our growth with the principles of environmental regeneration and biodiversity protection.

Our journey to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering emissions is ongoing. While we’ve already achieved a significant 55% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions over the past six years, we remain committed to further reductions, recognising that every step counts in building a more sustainable future. This focus is essential to our long-term environmental goals and aligns with our dedication to responsible business practices under our B Corp values.

Becoming a certified B Corp is more than a milestone; it is a pledge to continuously improve—for our clients, our community, and the planet. At Watermark Coffee, we are excited about this new chapter as a B Corp and look forward to deepening our role in purpose-driven business for years to come.

Green Ocean Coffee
In June 2024, our restoration activities continued in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo with the restoration of an additional 13 hectares of seabed (equivalent to 24 football pitches!) Working with our partners, Clew Bay Oyster Co-op, we spread 24 tonnes of scallop and oyster shell mix (cultch) over a 13 hectare area in the same vicinity where we started restoration in 2022. This area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) at the foot of Croagh Patrick in an area of breath-taking beauty. The updated map below highlights the difference between the area restored in 2022 and the newly restored area in 2024.

Additionally, our Green Ocean Carrickwee & Kish blends have each earned a star at the Great Taste Awards 2024! We’re thrilled at Watermark to see our Green Ocean Coffee recognised for these exceptional blends. Great Taste, the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme, put our coffee to the test with over 500 expert judges. This achievement reflects our team’s dedication to maintaining the highest quality and taste standards for our coffee.

Woodland Coffee
Our Director, David Lawlor, and Business Development Manager, Siobhan Murtagh, made a quick visit to our Woodland Coffee woodland while on route to meet some customers in June. We’re delighted to share the updates they brought back from the woodland, which is in full bloom at the moment!

The alder trees have once again surprised us with their growth, reaching almost 18ft and higher. They are starting to make the young woodland look like much more than just a field. Our conifer trees are also thriving, nestled among grass teeming with biodiversity. Bees, various insects, wildflowers, and other wildlife can also be seen flourishing this summer, making our woodland a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem.

Direct From Farm Update                                                                                                              A few weeks ago, we received a happy update from Charles, one of our coffee farmers in Kenya.

Thanks to direct trade, Charles has been able to educate his children—two of whom are now in university, while another has been trained as a roaster and is working in Kenya’s coffee industry. Stories like Charles’s affirm our mission: investing in people, fostering sustainability, and ensuring that every cup of coffee you enjoy makes a positive impact.

It’s amazing to see how the work of our Woodland and Green Ocean Coffee is making a positive difference right here in Ireland and abroad. Thank you to our customers who keep supporting sustainability, biodiversity, and positive change!

Coffee in the global village

Soaring global coffee consumption is good news for the economies of the countries reliant on the trade, also known as origins. In a growing market where there is huge demand for new flavours.  Coffee origins are key to flavour profiles and have become distinct in their own right, similar to that of wine producing regions.  This has allowed many smaller producers, like Charles Mutwiri, who produces the single origin beans for our Green Ocean Dorinish coffee, gain an international foothold enabling them to sell direct to businesses like ourselves.  Selling directly allows producers to bypass the commodification of their harvest in the futures markets and coffee bean dealers of the stock exchange.  We have labelled this process ‘Direct from Farm’.  There is a clear line from the farm to the cup which improves transparency and providence as well as giving farmers like Charles Mutwiri visibility on future orders which is key for him in making investment decisions.  Our focus with ‘Direct from Farm’ is to support developing communities by proving opportunity for them to grow and prosper.

What is coffee?

A coffee bean comes from inside a coffee cherry, which grow on coffee trees from a region of the world known as the coffee belt (between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn).  We use Arabica coffee beans in all of our Woodland Coffee and Green Ocean Coffee brands. Arabica coffee beans originate from Ethiopia and accounts for over 60% of the world’s coffee. Usually grown at higher altitudes and in mountainous areas under a variety of different conditions like shade / partial sunlight etc which impact the flavour of the coffee.  Much like wine, coffee flavours reflect their ‘terroir’ of climate, soil type and geomorphology.

What makes some coffee stand out?

Once the coffee cherries are harvested (when they turn bright red) they are dried and graded. As you would expect, grading is critical to the blending and roasting process and is carried out with reference to the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) rules.  Once a coffee achieves a grade of 80 or above, it is categorised as speciality grade arabica.  Both Green Ocean and Woodland Coffee are all specialty grade, and this has been a key reason why we won 3 out of the 6 prizes in the two coffee categories at last year’s Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.

Woodland and Green Ocean Coffee

Each of the coffees in the Woodland and Green Ocean ranges offers difference, the flavours are contemporary, balanced and nuanced. Roasted in Ireland, all of our coffees proudly carry the ‘Guaranteed Irish’ logo and both Woodland and Green Ocean fund real environmental projects here in Ireland which deliver long term measurable benefits in terms of carbon sequestration and biodiversity improvement on land and in our coastal seas.

If you fancy finding out a bit more about our award-winning coffee that makes the world we live in a better place, then please get in touch!

More about Woodland Coffee here

More about Green Ocean Coffee here