Tanbark Molded Fiber manufactures modern, customizable Type 3 molded fiber packaging — colored, textured, embossed, and molded into intricate shapes — using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood fiber that is recyclable and compostable. Founders Melissa and Christopher LaCasse leveraged their family firm LaCasse & Weston (which builds molding machines) to prototype a smaller, lower-cost machine that enables mid- and low-volume customers to access molded fiber. After building the prototype the company began manufacturing packaging directly and has early customers including Luke’s Lobster and Hannaford Supermarket, with a growing pipeline and the claim they would be at full capacity within six months if ready. Tanbark was founded in 2021 in Maine and is experimenting with other fiber sources while planning product and manufacturing innovation. Financially, the company has raised $3.2 million over two rounds and is planning a third raise in 2024. The founders plan to open a second, larger Maine facility while converting the current site into an R&D center of excellence.

Total raised

$3M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2024