TerraSafe Materials

TerraSafe Materials, Inc. is a material science company founded in 2023, focused on creating sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based packaging. The company operates as the first entity formed within Big Idea Ventures' Generation Food Rural Partners (GFRP) fund, a venture fund dedicated to commercializing university-developed intellectual property in the food, agriculture, and protein sectors. This unique structure provides TerraSafe with access to a significant portfolio of intellectual property from multiple research universities, including Penn State and North Carolina State University, allowing it to develop a range of biomaterials.

Led by CEO Scott Bolin, a serial entrepreneur with experience in commercializing university research, TerraSafe aims to displace traditional plastics by developing biopolymer compounds for various applications. Bolin's background includes founding Tethis, another startup originating from NC State research. The company's business model centers on licensing and augmenting intellectual property from universities to create advanced materials. This strategy allows them to build a robust technology platform from inception, targeting problems identified by strategic partners. Revenue generation is anticipated through corporate partnerships and the sale of its material solutions to businesses in the food packaging, household care, construction, and agriculture industries.

TerraSafe’s product development is centered on creating high-performance, regenerative materials designed for a circular economy. In July 2025, TerraSafe merged with DisSolves, a startup specializing in dissolvable film packaging, a move that accelerated the market entry of two key products. One of its primary offerings is an edible, water-soluble pod made from 100% food-grade ingredients, designed for powdered products like coffee and protein supplements, eliminating plastic waste associated with single-serve pods. Another key product is a plastic-free laundry detergent sheet that dissolves completely, enabling the use of recyclable paperboard for secondary packaging. The company is also developing biodegradable foams and rigid food trays from agricultural feedstocks to replace black plastic trays, which are often non-recyclable and can contain harmful substances. TerraSafe operates a 60,000-square-foot production facility in Youngsville, North Carolina, which also houses a research lab for collaboration with university partners.

Keywords: sustainable packaging, bioplastics, material science, plastic-free packaging, dissolvable film, edible packaging, biopolymer compounds, circular economy, university intellectual property, agricultural technology, food-grade materials, compostable packaging, biodegradable foam, sustainable materials, packaging innovation, cleantech, venture-backed, rural development, materials engineering, petroleum-free