About Us
Mission Statement
Provide planet-friendly, purpose-driven products by pushing the limits of molded fiber design.
Our dedicated team supports you from design through manufacturing.
Our team is built on curiosity, adaptability, and accountability, always embracing change and learning. We value collaboration, trust, and transparency, fostering open communication and shared success. With a focus on sustainability, we create a safe environment and innovate responsibly for the future.
Building on a Legacy
Our Ancestors
Maine's forests have supported livelihoods for millennia, providing fuel, shelter, and commerce that shaped societies. As the birthplace of fiber molding and a hub for wood harvesting, Maine boasts a rich legacy in forestry.
Maine’s Forest Legacy
Pulp and Paper
in 19th & 20th Century
Maine's vast forests have long made it an ideal location for the pulp and paper industry. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the pulp industry had expanded significantly, providing a foundation for molded fiber product innovation.
Forest Practices Act
This legislation was designed to protect forestry management and forest industries. While promoting sustainable forestry, it introduced regulations to prevent practices like clear-cutting and mandated sustainable harvesting methods to maintain forest health.
Enacted in 1989
LaCasse & Weston
Started by designing and engineering industrial air systems, they refined their focus on solutions-based engineering for molded fiber manufacturers. Tanbark’s co-founder, Christopher LaCasse, has been turning wrenches on these machines since the age of 13.
Founded in 1987 - Portland, ME
Tanbark’s Beginning
Founded in 2021 - Roux Founder Residency - Portland, ME
Born at an intersection, Melissa LaCasse heard a thought-provoking question; "What kind of ancestor do you want to be?" Inspired, Melissa saw an opportunity to create change, turning her climate grief into action. Utilizing her skills in distribution, business development, and strategic planning, as well as Christopher’s expertise in molded fiber machinery, Tanbark was founded. By innovating the pulp and paper heritage industry in Maine, Tanbark aims to solve the modern problem of plastic waste, create stronger communities in Maine, and a healthier world for their children.
Manufacturing Begins
Summer of 2023
Tanbark’s first production plant, located in Saco, hit the ground running with everything from full-scale production to testing new type-3 molded fiber products and innovative fibers with their first-to-market technology.
First Patent Pending
Fall of 2023
Pushing the limits of molded fiber design is in Tanbark’s DNA, They filed their first design patent only two years into their design and manufacturing journey.
Reshaping the Future
Begins now
Whether your looking to create something entirely unique or transition away from plastic, Tanbark is here to help.