What traceless materials does

traceless materials GmbH is a Hamburg-based circular bioeconomy company founded in 2020 that produces a novel category of natural biomaterials designed to substitute for conventional plastics and bioplastics. Its core technology is a patented extraction process that isolates unmodified natural polymers from agricultural industry plant residues (primarily grain-processing by-products), yielding granulates that are 100% biobased, certified plastic-free (Flustix), and home-compostable under NF T 51-800 within 2-9 weeks. The granulates are thermoplastic and compatible with standard industrial processing methods including injection moulding, extrusion, and film production, enabling converters to manufacture rigid packaging, flexible films, paper and paperboard coatings, adhesives, and single-use items without modifying existing production lines.

The company operates a B2B enterprise sales model selling traceless® granulates and sub-products (notably Traceless-FORM for injection moulding) to converters, brand owners, and packaging manufacturers, primarily in Europe. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales to key accounts (Mondi, OTTO, CompriseTec) with a strategic Europe-wide distribution partnership with Biesterfeld for polymers and specialty chemicals. Pricing is set through direct inquiry rather than published tiers, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

traceless materials has scaled from a research startup to approximately 110 employees as of May 2026, supported by €36.6 million in Series A funding (September 2023, led by UB FIGG with SWEN CP's Blue Ocean fund), a €5 million BMUV Environment Innovation Programme grant (May 2023), and an additional ~€5.1 million from the same programme. In May 2026 the company commissioned the world's first industrial-scale production facility for thermoplastic natural polymers in Hamburg-Harburg (~4,000 m², ~3,000 tons/year capacity, >€20 million invested), relocating its Buchholz pilot plant. Its leadership team comprises CEO and co-founder Dr. Anne Lamp, COO Sina Spingler, and CFO Jakob Röskamp, with an Advisory Board chaired by Dr. Katrin Suder. Notable customers and partners include Mondi (paper coatings), OTTO (exclusive e-commerce partnership), Biesterfeld (distribution), C&A (first retail pilot), and CompriseTec (injection moulding).

Name

traceless materials

Legal name

traceless materials GmbH

Website

https://traceless.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

traceless materials GmbH is a Hamburg-based circular bioeconomy startup producing certified plastic-free, home-compostable natural polymer granulates from agricultural residues, sold to converters and brand owners in Europe as a drop-in alternative to conventional plastics for packaging, films, and paper coatings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bio-based Sustainable Materials

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326), Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers (42461)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Wholesale-Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods (5190)

akta.pro primary industry

Compostable Materials & Certified Compostables (IMAEAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-based Rigid Packaging (injection/blow/thermoform) (IMANANAD), Compostable & Bio-based Flexible Films and Sheet (extrusion/cast/blown) (IMANANAC), Compostable & Biodegradable Disposable Supplies (CRAJAGAK), Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Bio-based materials
• Natural polymer materials
• Compostable packaging materials
• Plastic-free biomaterials
• Circular bioeconomy materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Biomaterial Sales: Sale of traceless brand biomaterial granulates in the form of pellets for further processing. Materials are sold to converters and manufacturers who process them into end products using standard technologies such as injection moulding or extrusion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

traceless materials produces and sells traceless® granulates, a novel generation of natural biomaterials based on unmodified natural polymers extracted from agricultural industry plant residues. The granulates are certified plastic-free, 100% biobased, and home-compostable, and are processed by converters and manufacturers into injection moulded items, flexible films, and paper coatings using standard industrial technologies such as injection moulding and extrusion.

Product overview

traceless materials GmbH produces traceless®, a novel generation of natural biomaterials based on unmodified natural polymers extracted from agricultural plant residues. The core product is the traceless® granulate, which serves as the base material for converters to produce injection moulded items, flexible films, and paper coatings using standard industrial technologies. Key sub-products include Traceless-FORM for injection moulding applications (distributed across Europe by Biesterfeld), and paper coatings developed in partnership with Mondi. The material portfolio covers applications replacing plastics in hard-to-recycle items, single-use products, packaging, paper coatings, and adhesives. All traceless® products are certified plastic-free, 100% bio-based, and home-compostable, with up to 91% lower CO₂ emissions compared to conventional plastics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• traceless® granulates Base granulate form of traceless® natural polymer material, serving as the feedstock for converters to manufacture end products via injection moulding, extrusion, or film production. Certified plastic-free, 100% biobased, and home-compostable.
• Traceless-FORM Plastic-free injection moulding material derived from natural polymers extracted from agricultural residues. Certified 100% bio-based and home-compostable, achieving up to 91% lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional plastics. Distributed across Europe through Biesterfeld.
• traceless® fries pickers Prototype single-use french fries forks manufactured from traceless® natural polymer material, designed for compostable food service applications.
• traceless® C&A sock hooks First commercial pilot product: sock hooks/clamps made from traceless® natural polymer material, launched on retail shelves in collaboration with C&A.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 91% lower CO2 emissions in production and disposal compared to conventional plastics
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BiesterfeldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2026Strategic partnership for distribution of Traceless-FORM plastic-free injection moulding material across Europe. Biesterfeld is an international distribution company for polymers and specialty chemicals. Both Hamburg-based companies aim to drive the transition toward circular economy by bringing bio-based materials from niche applications into industrial-scale use.
• MondicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with global packaging and paper manufacturer Mondi Group. Collaboration on plant-based coatings for paper and packaging applications, upscaling technology into paper industry. Mondi is a leading global packaging and paper company.
• OTTOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst market pilot partnership with German e-commerce company OTTO. Exclusive partnership for compostable plastic alternative. Products include reusable shopping bags and other sustainable packaging solutions.
• CompriseTecsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration advancing natural polymers in injection moulding. Partnership demonstrates industrial readiness, scalability, and processability of plastic-free thermoplastics on standard production lines, bridging innovation and large-scale implementation.
• Dr. Katrin SudersupportingOthersIndependent member and Chairwoman of Advisory Board since May 2026. Former State Secretary in German Ministry of Defense and Senior Partner at McKinsey. Provides strategic guidance on technology, digitalization, and corporate strategy.
• Kathrin KleinsupportingOthersAdvisory Board member since May 2026. Senior leadership experience from chemical industry in growth strategies, marketing, sales, and organizational development. Supports market entry and penetration.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Sukano: Specialty masterbatch and additive supplier for bioplastics and compostable polymers; relevant ecosystem participant providing additives/masterbatches used in PLA and bio-based polymer processing — comparable enabling layer in the bioplastics value chain.

Direct peers

• NatureWorks: World's largest PLA bioplastic producer; directly comparable as an industrial-scale bio-based polymer manufacturer selling resin/granulate feedstock to converters for injection moulding and extrusion applications.
• Novamont (Mater-Bi): Italian producer of Mater-Bi biodegradable and compostable bioplastics from renewable raw materials; competes in the same compostable biopolymer space targeting packaging and single-use applications.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture producing Luminy® PLA bioplastics at industrial scale; directly comparable bio-based polymer supplier serving packaging, single-use, and durable goods converters.
• Danimer Scientific: US producer of PHA-based bioplastics (Nodax®) targeting compostable packaging and single-use applications; competes in the bio-based, home/industrial-compostable plastics-substitute market.

Emerging players

• Notpla: UK-based startup developing seaweed-based packaging and coating alternatives; comparable emerging sustainable-materials company targeting single-use plastic replacement, though seaweed-based rather than natural polymer from agricultural residues.
• Loliware: Developer of seaweed-based single-use products and bioplastics; operates in the same plastic-replacement narrative with comparable compostable end-product positioning, albeit using marine biomass feedstock.
• Shellworks: UK startup creating packaging materials from chitin (shellfish waste); comparable early-stage bio-based materials company targeting plastic-free packaging applications.
• Biofibre: European producer of natural fibre-reinforced bioplastics for injection moulding; emerging player in the bio-based plastic substitute category with comparable targeting of converters.

Broad incumbents

• BASF: Global chemical major with ecovio® compostable bioplastic and extensive biopolymer R&D; broad incumbent in sustainable materials that could enter the natural-polymer space or compete on adjacent bioplastic product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/traceless-materials
• Instagraminstagram.com/traceless.eu

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about traceless materials