ARBOTRADE GmbH, based in Ilsfeld, Germany, was entered in the commercial register of the Stuttgart district court on 2 June 2002. Shareholders include TECNARO GmbH and Joma-Polytec GmbH. This dynamic organisation is led by experienced managing directors Jürgen Pfitzer, Helmut Nägele and Johannes Maute.
TECNARO
TECNARO GmbH, whose name stands for Technology Renewable Resources, was founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Karlsruhe-Pfinztal.
Based in Ilsfeld, Germany, the company is a pioneer in sustainable material families such as ARBOFORM®, ARBOBLEND® and ARBOFILL®, which are used in a wide range of industries. It has received numerous awards for sustainability, innovation and future technologies.
Joma-Polytec
Joma-Polytec GmbH is one of Germany's leading suppliers of plastic solutions for the automotive, medical and window industries.
Based in the Swabian town of Bodelshausen, the company's four main areas of production are injection moulding and assembly technology, medical clean room technology, extrusion and pump technology.
History
2024
Since 1 January 2024, the biodegradable ARBOTRADE tree shelter has been eligible for forestry subsidies in private and communal forests in Baden-Württemberg.
2023
ARBOTRADE has been awarded the GREEN BRANDS label for sustainable business. This award recognises the environmental sustainability of our biodegradable tree shelter.
ARBOTRADE has joined the Microplastic-Free Alliance, becoming part of a broad coalition of responsible companies. Together we advocate for microplastic-free material and product solutions.
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hein and his project team have received an award from IHK Reutlingen for excellent technology transfer for their work on the research project TheForestCleanup.
2022
ARBOTRADE GmbH was established as a joint venture between Joma-Polytec GmbH and TECNARO GmbH.
ARBOTRADE supports the first Forest Cleanup Day organised by the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg in cooperation with the Landeswaldverband BW e.V. and Cleanup Network e.V.
Development and production of a cable tie with the same material properties as the Tree Shelter.
2021
The first collaboration between TECNARO and Joma-Polytec took place as part of the „TheForestCleanup“ research project.
Production and continuous improvement of the first tree shelter prototypes. (Image source: Anton Schnabl)
Establishment of test sites for long-term testing of newly developed and conventional Tree Shelters by the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg. Each 1 ha area was provided by ForstBW Stützpunkt St. Peter, Bayerische Staatsforsten, Sachsenforst and Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW.
2020
TheForestCleanup project is funded by the German Agency for Renewable Resources (Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.). The criteria have been extended to ensure that the newly developed Tree Shelters are at least as good or even better than conventional Tree Shelters in terms of life cycle assessment. Website: theforestcleanup.de
Numerous research works by University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg on the topic of Tree Shelters can be read at: theforestcleanup.de/downloads
2019
The Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg funded the extended feasibility study "Wuchshülle³". The criteria have been extended to ensure that the Tree Shelter to be developed is comparable in functionality to a conventional Tree Shelter.
Additional degradation tests were carried out under laboratory conditions in accordance with DIN EN 17556. Standardised ecotoxicity tests were then carried out to ensure that the degradation process had no harmful effects on living organisms.
2018
The Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg funded the feasibility study "Wuchshülle²" under the direction of Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hein at the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg. The main objective of the project was to investigate the feasibility of developing a tree shelter made entirely from bio-based materials that are biodegradable under forest conditions.
Test sites were set up in forests of three different climatic zones in Baden-Württemberg to assess the biodegradability of various TECNARO bio-based materials when in contact with soil.
Statement of the directors
The directors of ARBOTRADE GmbH are excited to be actively involved in such an important global issue as sustainable reforestation. They are confident that their joint venture has created an ideal platform to develop innovative bioplastic products in collaboration with other partners. Previous projects have often failed due to high initial investment and lack of market access, but they are confident that sustainable success will now be achieved. Welcome to a world where we build the future together!
What can ARBOTRADE do?
The applications for plastics are as diverse as they are demanding, and in times of a global climate crisis, the demands on the plastics processing industry from politics, society and science are growing rapidly.
As part of the „TheForestCleanup“ (TFC) project, the renowned companies TECNARO and Joma-Polytec have formed a joint venture. Their common goal is to explore new approaches to sustainable materials science in the forestry sector and to lead the market introduction of their ground-breaking proprietary developments. This strategic alliance creates an exceptional depth of value creation that will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry.
The combination of TECNARO as a materials developer and producer and Joma-Polytec as a materials processing specialist offers you a complete solution from raw material sourcing to the finished product. You are free to choose which stage of the process you wish to enter.
Materials
Our bio-compounds are sustainably produced from forestry and agricultural resources. They improve the CO2 balance and protect oceans and forests from microplastics and PFAS. Our approach minimises the environmental impact of the plastics industry and conserves our oil resources for a sustainable future. We offer our expertise to help you choose materials. Discover our materials and partner with us.
Moulded parts
At ARBOTRADE we offer tailor-made solutions for customised moulded parts. Our expertise in materials, processes and applications, combined with our in-house laboratory, enables rapid material optimisation. Our bioplastic mouldings are high quality and environmentally friendly. Trust our expertise in sustainable product development.
End products
Environmentally friendly products made from bioplastics are the answer to the growing demand for sustainability. Are you looking for a durable end product that requires assembly and is also sustainable? No problem - we can do that too! Discover the outstanding quality and functionality of our bioplastics end products. Contact us to find out more about our environmentally friendly products and services.
Request a quote
With TECNARO as a material developer and manufacturer and Joma-Polytec as a material processor, ARBOTRADE offers you everything from raw material to finished product all from a single source.
Contact
Contact the joint venture:
ARBOTRADE GmbH
Bustadt 40
74360 Ilsfeld
Phone number: +49 (0) 7062 97687 – 100
Emailadress: info@arbotrade.de
Website: www.arbotrade.de