"Be a part of the solution, not pollution!"
About
Traceless Materials GmbH, a circular bioeconomy startup founded in Hamburg in 2020 by Dr. Anne Lamp, a process engineer, and Johanna Baare, a psychologist and MBA graduate, has developed an innovative biomaterial. This material, derived from agricultural residues and by-products of food production, is stable in storage, entirely sustainable, and biodegradable within a short period. Following the Cradle to Cradle concept, the material is designed to be returned to biological or technical cycles after use, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource utilization. Traceless Materials' product, traceless®, not only degrades quickly but also possesses the functional properties of conventional plastics without harming the environment. The company produces traceless® as a base material in granulate form, which can be processed into various end products by the plastics and packaging industry. Financing began with seed capital and has since been boosted by investments from various sources. The company aims to become the leading producer of organic plastic by 2030. Collaborations with major companies like OTTO, Lufthansa, and C&A demonstrate the market potential and impact of Traceless Materials' innovative solution. The company has received numerous awards and accolades for its groundbreaking approach to sustainability, positioning itself as a key player in the fight against plastic pollution.
Sustainable Development
The experience with regard to the sustainability of their business operations and the products they develop comes, among other things, from the training received by founder Dr Anne Lamp: She is a process mechanic and began developing the current product during her doctorate. Graduates with this academic training usually end up in less sustainable industries. However, Dr Lamp realised early on that she wanted to develop innovations with added value for everyone. She is also the founder of the NGO Cradle to Cradle Hamburg. This organisation brings together business, science, education, politics and civil society to make the cradle-to-cradle concept the basic principle of economic activity in the future. Following the example of nature, cradle to cradle means that all waste is turned back into a nutrient or energy that flows into the overall cycle and forms the raw material for something new. With this voluntary commitment, Dr Lamp gained valuable experience in the field of sustainability.
Sustainability Impact
Sustainability is part of Traceless' DNA. Without this aspect, the company would not exist at all. The start-up wants nothing less than to become the leading provider of plastic alternatives. That is why sustainable development is a top priority.
Innovative approaches &Challenges
The new types of plastic currently on the market only fulfil one sustainability criterion each. Traceless, however, fulfils them all: it is made from waste products from the agricultural industry and therefore does not compete with food. It is environmentally friendly as it is completely free of plastic and toxins. Around 80 % of CO2 emissions are saved during production compared to the manufacture of conventional plastic. In addition, it degrades within around 60 days without leaving any residue. This closes the cycle: a nutrient becomes a nutrient again, just like in nature. What's more, Traceless is the only substitute that can compete with petroleum-based plastic in terms of price and quality and is scalable.
Impact Evaluation
Traceless can draw on a comprehensive science-based life cycle analysis, as its financier Planet A uses this as a basis for deciding whether the product is worth supporting. The life cycle analysis is a life cycle assessment that predicts the impact of industrial production, from raw material extraction through production to disposal, including subsequent effects. Planet A, is a European venture capital fund that evaluates the environmental and climate impact of innovations before an investment is made. Transparency takes centre stage, as all evaluations and the methodology used are published . The life cycle analysis (LCA) carried out on the traceless material showed that... The production and disposal of traceless causes up to 95% less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and disposal of brand-new plastic, The total net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is in the range of 26 to 76%, Traceless material significantly reduces the need for non-renewable energy sources, Traceless offers additional environmental benefits, such as avoiding the risk of leakage of harmful substances into the environment. Other positive environmental effects (not considered in this LCA) that could potentially result from traceless: Traceless offers a solution to significantly reduce the total amount of plastic waste and therefore plastic pollution. The absence of toxic and harmful additives eliminates the risk of such substances leaking into the environment, which in turn could promote biodiversity as ecosystems remain intact.
Motivation
Holistic sustainability is the founding motivation of Traceless. "(...) in fact, until recently, the entire traceless team worked for traceless on a voluntary basis." -Said one of the founders Johanna Baare in 2021. The numerous prizes that the company first had to apply for are also an incentive. After all, the road to "big" production is a long one. The feedback from winning prizes is therefore extremely motivating. In addition, they regularly report transparently on the environmental impact of their business activities via the Impact Report. Seeing that what they are doing really makes a difference and works is a real motivation for the founders and the team.
Sustainability Ideas
The idea for the product came to founder Dr. Anne Lamp while sailing, when they sailed directly into a plastic carpet on the open ocean. This immediately destroyed the idyllic atmosphere and the charm that sailing actually provides. The effects on the local ecosystems could only be guessed at. And even during her studies as a process engineer, she dreamed of combining her interest in nature with her career. The idea for Traceless Materials came about through her doctoral work in the field of biological cycles and the search for alternative materials, as well as her voluntary work in a cradle-to-cradle organisation. The founders regularly take part in conferences and apply for various prizes in the field of sustainability and innovation. There is always the opportunity to exchange ideas with other start-ups, entrepreneurs and experts.
