CIRCULAR
BY NATURE
traceless® materials not only help to combat plastic pollution - they also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, avoid potentially harmful chemicals and can prevent deforestation. As an impact-driven company, we have set ourselves ambitious sustainability guidelines, which are oriented at the principles of safe and sustainable design and a holistic circular bioeconomy.
To ensure we reach our goals, we have our materials tested with recognized certificates and test methods. Furthermore, we quantify the environmental footprint of our technology using various life cycle assessment methods. Scroll down to discover some of the highlights!
PREVENTS
PLASTIC POLLUTION.
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, and unfortunately the problem is even bigger than the eye can see, as plastics degrade into microplastics over time.
Since traceless® is based on natural polymers and is certified plastic-free, our material will never become plastic waste, and is guaranteed not to contribute to plastic pollution. Instead, it can be composted and turned into nutrients for new plants to grow, this way closing the biological cycle.
COMBATS
CLIMATE CHANGE
Plastics are one of the largest and fastest-growing contributors to industrial carbon commissions. Until 2040, plastics alone use around 19% of the carbon budget for staying below 1.5°C global warming.
Being fully bio-based, traceless® puts an end to using fossils as raw material. The plants we use are a fast-growing renewable resource and take CO2 out of the atmosphere. And since we use a very resource efficient technology and make use of renewable energy, we save even more CO2 emissions during production.
To get an even clearer picture of traceless®’ climate impact, we’re going beyond our Consequential LCA and working on the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). This will give more detailed insights into the carbon footprint of individual products, helping us stay transparent and improve continuously. Results coming soon!
SAVES
FOSSIL ENERGY.
The production of plastic is an energy intensive process that is predominantly supplied using fossil energy carriers. In addition, conventional plastics itself are made of fossil energy resources. Taken together, plastic production is by far the largest industrial oil, gas, and electricity user in the EU. The transition towards a responsible use of energy and a biobased economy is more urgent than ever.
As traceless® is completely plant-based, and produced using an efficient technology that makes use of renewable energy, it saves Ø58,91 GJ/t of fossil energy demand compared to virgin plastics.
PROTECTS
LAND & WATER RESOURCES.
Responsible biomass use is a core pillar of sustainable bioeconomy principles to ensure food safety and preserve biodiversity and natural resources. In line with this principle, the traceless® technology makes use of second generation biomass - precisely, residues of the agricultural industry. Our materials are not leading to an increase in land or water resources when replacing conventional plastics and bioplastics. As wood-free materials, they don't risk deforestation, which is an advantage over fibre- and wood-based materials.
AVOIDS
HARMFUL CHEMICALS.
Many conventional plastics contain substances that are suspected of having harmful effects - for example, PFAs, the so-called "forever chemicals". Even though there is still a lot unknown about the long-term effects, authorities are concerned as PFAs have been frequently observed to contaminate groundwater, surface water and soil, and some are linked to negative effects on human health.
At traceless®' material and technology development, we follow strict sustainability guidelines, focusing on safe and sustainable ingredients. Meaning: zero harmful chemicals in both product and process!
SCIENCE-BASED
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
We continuously quantify the environmental impact potential of our technology using different methods of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). With regular updates, we are able to constantly incorporate innovations that arise in our technology development, aiming to forecast our impact as precisely as possible, and identify and realize potential for improvement.
new PCF report
CONSEQUENTIAL LCA (*cLCA)
The consequential LCA (cLCA) approach takes a holistic and systemic perspective and is best to evaluate overall sustainability of business models. It compares the business as usual scenario - so, a world without traceless - to a world where traceless exists, and every kilogram of traceless material replaces a kilogram of conventional plastic. Instead of only looking at direct impacts, it takes into account overall changes and displacement effects, like material substitution.
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Scope: Full life cycle (from raw material generation over production to end-of-life)
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Standard: ISO 14040/14044#
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Prospective LCA of small-scale industry production
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Indicators: Various
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Undertaken by: Planet A (LCA undertaken as a basis for their investment decision in 2021)
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Versions: V1.0 2021, V2.0 2022.
