How Sustainability Becomes Traceable: Insights Behind Our German Sustainability Award 2026 Win
- traceless
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
We’re happy to share that traceless® has been recognized with two awards at the German Sustainability Awards.
Last week, we joined hundreds of changemakers at the German Sustainability Day in Düsseldorf - a gathering of people from science, industry, policy and civil society who are working to shape a more sustainable future.
We were there to contribute to the dialogue, to share our perspective in the masterclass
“Raw materials – How are competitive solutions created at the heart of industry?”, to present how natural polymer materials can help close the gaps where technical recycling reaches its limits, and above all, to connect with other changemakers.
And while we already knew that traceless® had been selected as the winner in the Company Category (Plastics & Rubber Industry), the evening held an unexpected highlight: we were honoured a second time, on stage we received the Transformation Field Award – in the Category Resources!
Below, you’ll find our full recap of the event, including reflections from Jonna and Andreas, who accepted the awards on behalf of the team and gathered powerful insights from two days of discussions, masterclasses and conversations.
A Strong Signal for Circular Approaches
What encouraged us most when looking at this year’s award winners and nominees is how strongly circular solutions were represented. It shows that circular economy approaches – and with them, the circular bioeconomy – are increasingly recognised as essential if Europe wants to move toward an industrial future that works in harmony with nature.
In addition to the German Sustainability Award for companies, the Transformation Field Awards are a new format introduced by the German Sustainability Award. Across five key transformation fields, the jury selects five cross-industry winners whose work has the potential to accelerate systemic change in Germany’s sustainability transition.
Being honoured in the field of Resources places traceless® among innovations that can help accelerate Germany’s shift toward a circular, resource-efficient economy. But the very design of this cross-industry award also shows: transformation doesn’t happen within one sector or by one breakthrough alone. It happens when many solutions, companies and systems evolve in the same direction.
And when looking around the room, that became even more tangible. So many companies and individuals are driving meaningful change in their own fields, each contributing a crucial piece to the bigger picture. It was a clear reminder that true transformation is never driven by a single innovation or a single award - it is carried by the collective effort of many.
Sustainability at traceless®: Our Materials may be Traceless, but Our Impact Shouldn’t be
At traceless®, sustainability has never been an add-on or a direction we grew into. It’s the reason we were founded. Our mission has always been clear: to replace plastics at scale and help build a net-zero, circular materials industry.
And while our materials may be traceless, our impact shouldn’t be. That’s why we commit to making our contribution to the green transformation of the industry transparent - and above all, traceable:
backed by science,
proven through third-party assessments,
and communicated in ways that avoid confusion.
Because sustainability only creates real value when you can prove it.
To share what that looks like behind the scenes, we spoke to Andreas, our Sustainability Manager - the person making sure our claims stand on solid data.
A Conversation with Andreas: “Impact has to be more than a promise.”
You joined the German Sustainability Award together with Jonna. What was your impression of the event?
Andreas: “It was inspiring to stand among so many people working toward the same goal. The conversations, the speakers, the atmosphere - it all reinforced that real change is possible when people across sectors move together. Events like this bring a lot of energy into the work we do every day.”
As Sustainability Manager, you make sure our impact is measurable and our claims are backed by data. What does this award mean from your perspective?
Andreas: “For me, it highlights why traceability is so important. My role is to ensure that everything we say about our environmental impact is grounded in facts - through LCAs, certifications and transparent reporting.
Andreas Genest, Sustainability Manager: ''In a landscape where sustainability can quickly become confusing, credibility matters. It is our goal to be honest and clear about what our material can contribute, and where it makes the biggest difference. Being recognized with this award shows that our sustainability-driven efforts resonate.”
A Moment of Reflection and Momentum - Insights from Jonna
Representing traceless® on stage, to accept the Transformative Field Award in the category Resources, was Jonna, our Chief of Staff, who brings years of expertise in cradle-to-cradle and circular bioeconomy approaches.
Q: Jonna, what does winning this award mean to you?
Jonna: “To me, it shows that the circular bioeconomy is finally being recognised for the role it must play. Seeing so many circular approaches among this year’s finalists was incredibly encouraging.”
Q: Several speakers delivered powerful messages this year. What stayed with you? Jonna: “The opening night was filled with amazing scientists, speakers and activists: Maja Göpel, Louisa Neubauer, Johann Rockström, Vanessa Nakate, Eckart von Hirschhausen and Mojib Latif reminded us how critical this moment in time is. We’ve already crossed several planetary boundaries, and two major ecosystems - the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon - are close to irreversible tipping points.''
Jonna Clasen, Chief of Staff: ''There was concern and frustration about the ‘lost years’, but also something else that felt just as strong: hope. Hope that we can still turn the curve if we act now. Maja Göpel spoke about stepping out of old roles to enable real change, and Louisa Neubauer reminded us that care for the planet begins with how we treat ourselves and each other. It was grounding, emotional and energising all at once.”
Q: And what does that energy mean for traceless® right now?
Jonna: “As we shift from start-up to full production, we’re navigating one of the most important chapters in our journey. The mix of urgency and hope we felt at the DNP could not have come at a better time.
It reminded us that even with all the challenges, transformation is still possible, and that companies like ours can help shape it. Being recognized now encourages us to stay bold, to scale responsibly, and to show that natural polymers can play a meaningful role in the future of materials.”
Our Journey with the German Sustainability Award - a Reflection of Our Growth
This award comes at an important moment for us: from a small start-up built around a pilot plant to a production company preparing for large-scale output. And our journey with the German Sustainability Award mirrors that evolution:
2023 – Winner of the Next Economy Award (start-up competition)
2025 – Nomination for our product innovation
2026 – Winner of the Company Category, recognising the organisation behind the technology & Winner of the Transformation Field Award in the Resources Category
Each step reflects how traceless® is growing: scaling a new class of natural polymer materials, building industrial capacity and staying true to the mission we began with – one where sustainability is the starting point, not an add-on.
Looking ahead
As we prepare for the next steps of our journey, this recognition is both motivation and responsibility.
A heartfelt thank you to the German Sustainability Award team for an inspiring event! And of course to our own team, partners & supporters, and everyone supporting us on this journey.
Our material may disappear, but we’re proud that our company is leaving its trace. 💚
