How can the transition from fossil-based packaging to natural, recyclable solutions be achieved? The partnership between the international packaging group Mondi and the Hamburg-based start-up traceless materials provides an answer to this question. What began as a future-oriented innovation dialogue has developed into a concrete collaboration – with the aim of bringing bio-based paper coatings made from agricultural waste to industrial maturity. This shows that when a global player like Mondi has the courage to give young ideas space, solutions with the potential for real system change are created.
A new approach for functional packaging papers
traceless materials was founded in 2020 by Dr Anne Lamp and Johanna Baare and is developing a new class of materials from agricultural by-products – such as residues from grain processing. The result is a bio-based, home-compostable granulate that can be processed thermoplastically but does not contain any synthetic polymers. In this way, traceless deliberately goes beyond traditional bioplastics and offers a real alternative to conventional plastic coating on paper, combining functionality with a circular economy.
Mondi recognises the potential – and invests in joint development
Mondi, a global provider of packaging and paper solutions with over 24,000 employees, is known for its ambitious sustainability goals. They recognised the potential of traceless as an innovative material early on – and offered the start-up the opportunity to test the material under real-life conditions. Since 2021, the two companies have been working closely together to test the suitability of traceless as a paper coating for industrial applications.
This early cooperation goes far beyond pure testing. Mondi not only provides the technical infrastructure and application expertise, but also contributes its market knowledge, regulatory experience and the necessary trust to give young solutions the chance to scale up.
From laboratory to production: realistic scaling steps
The test results to date show that the traceless paper material is heat-sealable and has barrier properties, for example against grease or oxygen, while remaining recyclable in the existing waste paper stream. Together, Mondi and traceless have successfully tested processing on existing extrusion and converting lines. This drop-in capability is a key benefit for brands and converters who want to become more sustainable without changing their infrastructure.
Ttraceless is currently building its first demonstration plant with an annual capacity of several thousand tonnes. Commissioning is planned for this year, followed by the first large-scale industrial plant – a milestone that Mondi is playing a key role in through its early cooperation.
Sustainability as a shared responsibility
For Mondi, the cooperation with traceless is not an isolated case, but an expression of a comprehensive understanding of responsibility. The Group is pursuing the goal of developing packaging solutions that are “sustainable by design” – and specifically sees start-ups as a source of inspiration. In the case of traceless, not only the ecological potential was right, but also the vision: a packaging world that can replace fossil-based plastics without functional or economic compromises.
Thomas Lunz, Business Development Manager at Mondi Functional Paper & Films, puts it in a nutshell: “We believe in materials like traceless because they do exactly what is needed today – functional, recyclable and at the same time ready for industrial implementation.”
A boost for the entire industry
The joint presentation by Marissa Schwinn (traceless) and Thomas Lunz (Mondi) showed what an innovation partnership in practice can look like. An experienced global player meets a visionary scale-up – both united by the conviction that real sustainability can only be achieved through joint action. Mondi creates the platform for this, traceless provides the idea – and the industry benefits from the combination of innovative spirit and implementation strength.
Conclusion
The partnership between Mondi and traceless materials symbolises a path that more industrial companies can take: Not just observing start-ups and scale-ups, but actively working with them – with trust, resources and courage. This creates solutions that accelerate the transition to a post-fossil packaging future. And traceless? In Mondi, it has found a partner that not only believes in the product, but also in the change it makes possible.
For all those who would like to access the recorded presentations, we recommend this link:
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