_{Hamburg, 19 June 2024}

The startup traceless materials from Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is innovative in the field of sustainable material technologies. The company has now announced a strategic partnership with Mondi, one of the world's leading packaging and paper manufacturers. The aim of the collaboration is to promote the use of traceless®, a novel and natural plastic alternative, throughout the paper industry. 

The bioeconomy start-up traceless material has developed a nature-based and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic: The company, which is based at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), produces the compostable biomaterial traceless® from plant residues from industrial grain processing. This is a regenerative, biocircular and certified plastic-free granulate made from plant residues that can be composted in the garden.

The recently announced partnership with Mondi is an important step for traceless in its mission to significantly reduce global plastic pollution. Mondi is recognised for its sustainable business practices and global presence in the paper and packaging industry.

Environmental impact of conventional plastic coatings compared to the traceless® solution

Conventional paper coatings often use synthetic plastics to improve the sealing and barrier properties of the paper. These coatings, which are usually derived from non-renewable fossil resources, are not biodegradable under industrial composting conditions.

In contrast, traceless® is bio-based on plant residues and naturally compostable. It decomposes in a short time without leaving any harmful residues. The partnership between traceless and Mondi aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic waste by offering an alternative to conventional plastic coatings with traceless®. At the same time, recyclability for existing paper recycling loops is ensured. This development meets the increasing demand from consumers and authorities for environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

Anne Lamp, CEO and co-founder of traceless materials, explains: ‘Our collaboration with Mondi is more than just a partnership; it's a powerful combination of innovation and scale. Together, we are poised to transform the paper coating industry by implementing our traceless® coating alternative at a scale that only a company like Mondi can achieve. This is an important step towards a sustainable future where our material becomes the standard in everyday products.’

Marko Schuster, COO Functional Paper and Films at Mondi, explains: ‘This partnership fits perfectly with Mondi's commitment to making packaging and paper sustainable from the ground up. Working with traceless® allows us to introduce innovative, natural solutions to our customers, further enhancing our approach to responsible production and consumption. Together, we are taking the next step in developing solutions that contribute to a circular economy.’

Webpage of the startup: www.traceless.eu

This text originally appeared on the Startup Port website.