TerraSafe is a startup that believes the future of packaging and single-use products will require no plastic. They're not waiting until then to develop the solutions. Instead, they're developing plastic-free packaging and single-use product technology solutions today.
TerraSafe's CEO, Julie Willoughby, PhD, brings extensive plastic manufacturing experience and expertise from materials research in polymers and surface chemistry to the company. She's focused on developing solutions that draw from existing technologies, patents, business acquisitions and manufacturing processes to tap into commercial potential driven by several trends. Microplastics pose increasing health concerns, found everywhere from human organs to table salt. Regulations for extended producer responsibility for consumer waste and circular packaging are increasing. And consumers' demand for plastic-free packaging is growing.
The current line of TerraSafe packaging materials and products includes biodegradable barrier coatings and films, extrudable biocomposites and edible food packaging for health and well-being with the convenience and performance that consumers demand. The company aims to use third-party certification to identify the materials as biodegradable in a home composting setting. Products are designed to disintegrate in six months, so the problem of “litter” disappears. “While the demand is real, material commercialization needs dedicated and aligned venture capital initiatives,” said Willougbhy. The company has been backed by Big Idea Ventures' Generation Food Rural Partners I, which is leading the company's Series A raise with $2 million of the $6 million raise secured.
Founded in 2023, TerraSafe became the first portfolio company of GFRP, in which CoBank is an investor. Part of TerraSafe's goal is to bring economic opportunity to its rural community in Youngsville, North Carolina. The company integrates agricultural byproducts into its materials as feedstock, so farmers can gain an alternative income source. “GFRP's investment underscores the commitment to validating that the bio-economy can be economically viable at scale, bringing value back to rural shareholders,” said Willoughby. “TerraSafe is committed to building new value chains from biobased feedstocks, rural manufacturing and job creation, and circular economic principles that integrate land stewardship into product creation.”
To date, the company has made significant progress with the technical and financial support of Big Idea Ventures. It has promoted Willoughby from chief technology officer to CEO, secured a portfolio of technology patents, acquired and merged a business producing edible dissolvable pods, grown the team to 15 people, brought a 60,000-square-foot facility online and entered into agreements with a robust customer pipeline. For Willoughby, it's important to have “the right team, talent and assets to dominate a new market.” The company thinks holistically about its broader impacts, which go beyond the ability of its products to dissolve or degrade safely. TerraSafe aims to bring its community along for the growth journey by creating jobs, sourcing locally, and collaborating with regional farmers and manufacturing talent.