Ask the Experts: A New Injection Moulding Grade — Naturally in Black

We design materials that work with nature — not against it. Our newest material grade is a great example of what happens when you follow that principle from development to final product: improved performance, broader applications, and — as a bonus — a whole new look. We’re excited to launch our new injection moulding grade: developed for greater scalability and technical performance, now available in a colour that’s a first in the traceless® portfolio — naturally black.  

We sat down with Philipp, Application Engineer at traceless and lead on the development, and Michael, Sales Manager for this product line, to talk about how it came to life — and what it means for our customers. 

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Let’s start at the beginning — what was the goal behind this new grade? 

Philipp, Application Engineer

Philipp: ''We wanted to develop a material grade that performs even better in injection moulding processes — especially for rigid applications like single-use cutlery. So we adjusted the formulation to improve things like processability, mechanical stability, and scalability for converters. 

As a result of this new composition — still 100% plant-based — the material turned almost black. It’s a result of the natural colour of the plant residues and specific formulation we used. This significant color makes the new grade stand out clearly from our existing portfolio — but it’s completely in line with how we develop: using what nature gives us.  

Just like all traceless materials, the new grade follows our strict sustainability principles: As natural polymer material, it is 100% biobased using plant residues, and free of fossils, synthetic polymers and potentially problematic additives like so-called forever chemicals. And of course, it is naturally compostable.''   

So the black tone came from the material itself? 

Philipp: ''Exactly. It’s the natural result of the new formulation, based on natural plant residues and other plant-based ingredients. There are no synthetic pigments involved. The colour is simply just an outcome of how we’re using the power of plants to create new material solutions.'' 

And what improvements does the new grade offer in practice? 

Philipp: ''We made targeted improvements to the formulation to optimize it for injection moulding — and the results speak for themselves. The material now runs even more reliably on standard machinery, shows increased mechanical strength, and delivers greater output consistency. These are important gains that help reduce variability in production and make the material even more consistent across different processing setups. It’s an important step forward on our journey to full commercialization, and a solid foundation for scaling the material across more applications in an industrial setting – hereby maximizing our environmental impact.  

From a market perspective — why does this matter for customers? 

Michael, Sales Manager

Michael: ''What makes this grade so relevant is how those improvements show up in practice for our partners. It runs smoothly on existing machinery making it easy for partners to integrate without major process changes. It’s stronger and more reliable, with improved performance that makes it suitable for a wider range of rigid applications. 

The black colour? It wasn’t the goal — but it’s actually a clear advantage. It gives the material a premium, high-quality look that closer resembles conventional plastic, making it easier for customers to adopt without rethinking their product designs. 

With this new grade, we’re offering a solution that meets market expectations on every level — from performance to sustainability to visual appeal.''

And just to confirm — the core sustainability features are still there? 

Philipp: ''Absolutely! Also with the new formulation, the material stays true to our core sustainability standards. It is 100% plastic-free and based on natural polymers which are not chemically modified. Besides that it is naturally home-compostable, fully bio-based, and made from plant-based residues — not food crops. Its carbon footprint is maximally optimized, and it contains no harmful chemicals, making it safe for both people and planet. 

At traceless, maintaining these standards always comes first in our development work. We continuously explore what’s technically possible — but always within the boundaries of our sustainability principles.''

Michael: ''And of course also from a regulatory perspective, this new material grade maintains its advantages — still outside the scope of the SUPD and not impacted by upcoming PPWR rules. It’s a future-ready material grade for businesses that want to scale sustainability, while staying compliant to regulations.''

So does this mean all traceless materials are black now?  

Philipp: ''No, this new grade is specifically developed for injection moulding — so it’s intended for rigid applications. Our other grades, like those used for paper coatings and films, still have their familiar appearance. The granules are naturally amber, and the final films or coatings range in colour from yellow to nearly transparent, depending on thickness and processing. 

Again, that colour isn’t added — it’s the natural result of the plant residues we use as a base. So rather than a shift, the black tone simply extends our colour palette.''

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Working with nature — and scaling with industry 

Our new injection moulding grade shows what’s possible when you design with natural cycles in mind. 

The new grade performs well in production, is ready to scale — and as a result of its plant-based formulation, now even looks like the soil it’s made to return to 😉   

That’s what happens when you work with nature, not against it. Are you interested in our new injection moulding formulations? Then reach out to Michael and Philipp via email at sales@traceless.eu - we're excited to hear from you!