From Farm to Fork ... to Food Innovation Camp — the traceless® Way
- traceless
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
What if your next bite could help change the future of single-use? At the Food Innovation Camp in Hamburg, bold conversations, fresh flavours, and innovative founders are a given. But this year, something new made it to the table. For the first time, every dish served at the rooftop Show Kitchen & Bar came with a fork made from our traceless® material.
It might have looked like just another utensil — but it carried a much bigger story. A story of circularity, innovation, and real-world impact. Because behind that fork lies a full-circle journey — one that starts long before it hits the plate and continues long after the last bite.
Read on as we take you from farm to fork — the traceless® way.
1. The Origin: Agricultural Leftovers
Unlike single-use items made from conventional plastic or bioplastics, the forks began their life on the farm — more specifically, as leftovers from the grain processing industry. Once the starch is extracted for food, a byproduct stream remains. That’s where we come in. Instead of putting pressure on food crops or using additional land, we work with what’s already there. A smart, circular start — powered by plants.
2. The Material: Designed for Nature
From these agricultural residues, we create our traceless® granulate — a natural, plastic-free material that’s certified home-compostable and disappears without a trace.
Inspired by the cradle-to-cradle design approach, our innovative technology extracts natural polymers — the very ones nature already created for us. In doing so, traceless® materials go beyond the traditional categories of plastic and bioplastic, pioneering a new generation of materials.
Our partners then process the granulate into a wide range of products using existing technologies like injection moulding and extrusion. The forks in this story are just one item in the growing food-service collection, all made from our materials.
3. A Forkful of Action at Food Innovation Camp 2025
The next stop in the fork’s journey? Food Innovation Camp 2025! A rooftop terrace, countless plates of culinary creativity — and in every hand: a fork made from traceless® material.
For the first time, the forks were tested at scale in a real-world setting — and the response exceeded expectations. From top chefs to curious foodies, from sustainability pros to spontaneous passersby: the reaction was instant curiosity and enthusiasm. Many were surprised by how familiar the forks felt — sturdy, smooth, and comfortable to use — all while knowing it would leave no lasting trace.
“It was more than just a product test,” says Ivonne Sokoll, Head of Marketing at traceless. “It was proof that materials like ours are ready to step into the everyday — and make a difference where it matters.”
Having forks made from traceless® material in use throughout the event marked a defining moment — not only for us, but for everyone striving toward a plastic-free future.
But the day wasn’t just about testing the fork in action. At the traceless® booth, we presented our full food-service collection: trays, to-go cups, forks, fries pickers — all made from traceless material.
The spirit of innovation extended far beyond our booth. On stage, our co-founder Anne Lamp joined key voices from politics, business, and science to explore one central question: What does it take to scale sustainable tech – and make it thrive in a city like Hamburg?
In “Fork Flowers”, artist Lhamaa Dalaibaatar transformed our forks into a poetic still life — somewhere between decay and possibility. The installation posed a powerful question: What fades, and what flourishes, when we rethink sustainability?
For most of our showcased food-service collection, that was the end of the day. As for the forks? Their journey wasn’t over yet.
4. The Return: Back to the Farm
Their first job was done — they served food. But next, they’ll serve the earth, and with that, the future. Because after use, these forks don’t become waste. They become nutrients. Fully compostable in nature, they can return to the soil — helping grow the next generation of crops.
From farm to fork… and back to the farm. That’s the cycle we believe in.
This real-world test was just the beginning. We’re getting closer to commercial market entry — and these forks were only the first of many.
Interested in cutlery made from traceless® materials?
Get in touch at sales@traceless.eu.