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§ Private Profile · Hamburg, Germany
traceless materials is a technology company.
Traceless Materials GmbH develops a novel bio-based granulate designed to replace conventional plastics entirely. Derived from agricultural residues, specifically grain processing byproducts, this patented material is 100% bio-based and fully compostable within nine to twelve weeks. Its formulation allows seamless integration into existing plastics manufacturing infrastructure, enabling production of diverse products like flexible films, coatings, and rigid packaging alternatives without requiring machinery conversion.
The company was co-founded in September 2020 by Dr. Anne Lamp, CEO, and Johanna Baare, COO. Dr. Lamp originated the concept during her PhD in process engineering at Hamburg University of Technology, researching plastic-like materials from industrial byproducts. She later connected with Ms. Baare, who contributes expertise in business administration and psychology, during the "ActOnPlastic" challenge, solidifying their complementary leadership for the venture.
Traceless's granulate serves a broad market seeking sustainable solutions for single-use items and packaging, including e-commerce. The company’s vision centers on significantly reducing plastic pollution by replacing products prone to environmental leakage or lacking effective recycling techniques. They aim to provide a truly circular material solution that leaves no trace in nature.
traceless materials has raised $41.8M across 2 funding rounds.
traceless materials has raised $41.8M in total across 2 funding rounds.
traceless materials has raised $41.8M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $39.0M Series A in September 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2023 | $39M Series A | Olivier Raybaud, Sakari Saarela | B.value, GLS Bank, Hamburger Sparkasse, High Tech Grunderfonds, Planet A Ventures | Announced |
| Oct 21, 2021 | $2.8M Venture Round | European Innovation Council | — | Announced |
traceless materials has raised $41.8M in total across 2 funding rounds.
traceless materials's investors include Olivier Raybaud, Sakari Saarela, b.value, GLS Bank, Hamburger Sparkasse, High-Tech Grunderfonds, Planet A Ventures, European Innovation Council.
Traceless Materials is a Hamburg-based scale-up founded in 2020, specializing in biodegradable, plastic-free materials derived from agricultural plant residues. These traceless® materials replace traditional plastics in applications like packaging, coatings, single-use items, and agricultural films, offering home-compostable properties that biodegrade in 2-9 weeks without industrial facilities, while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 87% and avoiding competition with food production.[1][2][3][4][5] The company serves converters, retailers (e.g., OTTO, C&A), and packaging manufacturers (e.g., Mondi), solving global plastic pollution by enabling scalable, price-competitive alternatives processed via standard methods like extrusion and injection molding.[1][2][3][4][5] With a 100-person team, patents, awards (e.g., German Start-up Award, Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2025 nomination), and a first large-scale production facility launching end-2025, Traceless is poised for commercial market entry amid rising demand for circular bioeconomy solutions.[1][2][3][5]
Traceless Materials was co-founded in 2020 in Hamburg, Germany, by Dr. Anne Lamp (CEO)—a process engineering graduate motivated by rejecting pesticide production for circular economy principles—alongside partners including Jakob Röskamp (CFO) and Sina Spingler (COO).[1][2][3] Lamp's pivotal moment came during studies, shifting focus to sustainable materials after discovering circular production methods, aiming to combat plastic waste worldwide.[3] Early traction included developing the first prototype, scaling production processes, securing five patents, and partnerships with sustainability leaders, evolving from idea-stage innovation (backed by Planet A from inception) to a 100-person team with investor support and awards like the German Sustainability Award.[1][2][3][4]
Traceless rides the circular bioeconomy wave, targeting a €7bn+ rapidly growing market for biodegradable alternatives amid escalating plastic pollution regulations and decarbonization mandates.[2][4][5] Timing aligns with EU policies, corporate sustainability pledges, and consumer demand for regenerative packaging, positioning it as a first-mover beyond bioplastics by using waste streams for true cradle-to-cradle solutions.[1][3][4] Market forces like rising virgin plastic costs and bans on single-use items favor its low-impact, scalable model, influencing the ecosystem through supply chain integration (e.g., retail, e-commerce) and inspiring shifts from fossil-based to residue-based materials.[2][3][4]
Traceless is entering hyper-growth with its 2025 production launch, enabling mass-market rollout and carbon neutrality goals amid €7bn TAM expansion.[1][2][4] Trends like stricter plastics directives, bioeconomy investments, and net-zero mandates will accelerate adoption, potentially evolving its influence via global scaling, product diversification (e.g., adhesives), and ecosystem leadership in traceless biomaterials.[2][3][5] As a pioneer replacing plastics at scale, Traceless exemplifies how residue-based innovation can eradicate pollution, fulfilling its mission to leave no trace.