Hamburg-based distribution company Biesterfeld has entered a strategic partnership with materials innovator traceless to bring a compostable injection moulding material to the European market.
Under the agreement announced on 6 May, Biesterfeld will distribute traceless-FORM, a bio-based polymer designed for conventional manufacturing equipment, across Europe. The partnership aims to expand availability of alternatives to traditional plastics in specific applications.
The traceless material derives from natural polymers found in agricultural residues. Through a patented extraction and processing method, these polymers are converted into granules with thermoplastic properties suitable for standard injection moulding machines.
Processing temperatures range from approximately 110 to 130 degrees Celsius, potentially reducing energy consumption compared to conventional polymers. The material works with cold and hot-runner systems and multi-cavity moulds on equipment from manufacturers including Arburg, Engel, and JSW.
Traceless has obtained certifications indicating the material is 100 percent bio-based, compliant with single-use plastics directive requirements, and home-compostable according to French standard NF T 51-800. The company claims the material can achieve up to 91 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional plastics across production and disposal.
Production is currently scaling up at facilities in Hamburg to reach industrial volumes.
The companies emphasise that the material targets specific use cases rather than attempting to replace conventional plastics universally. Intended applications include injection-moulded components with short lifecycles, single-use or temporary products, and items with limited recyclability.
Anne Lamp, CEO and co-founder of traceless materials, characterised the collaboration as bringing together two Hamburg companies with shared goals. She stated the partnership represents a step toward moving plastic-free and bio-based materials from niche applications into broader industrial use.
The partnership reflects growing interest in bio-based materials as manufacturers seek options that align with environmental regulations and sustainability objectives.
