For Immediate Release
December 2, 2024
DisSolves Launches Plastic-Free Alternative to PVA Dissolving Pods
After closing a successful Seed funding round, DisSolves is opening its pilot facility in early 2025 and is signing on corporate partners to collaborate on podding solutions.
Raleigh, North Carolina - DisSolves, a North Carolina-based startup, is shaking up the packaging industry with its innovative edible dissolving films. As the demand for plastic-free packaging mounts, DisSolves aims to disrupt the market dominated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a petroleum-derived plastic that poses significant environmental and health risks.
Laundry detergent pods, a popular household convenience, are made from PVA, contributing to an expanding $4.8 billion market that indirectly releases plastic pollution into our water systems. In response to growing environmental and health concerns, New York City has proposed a ban on PVA sales, putting pressure on brands to seek plastic-free alternatives.
DisSolves is committed to eliminating plastic waste by replacing PVA with a 100% natural, plastic-free alternative. This human-centered startup focuses on addressing the climate crisis by targeting dissolving convenience packaging—a common yet problematic source of pollution. Like detergent pods, DisSolves is podding just about any pre-portioned product, offering versatile solutions for consumers and businesses across the food and beverage, cleaning, and personal care industries. Their edible packaging solution can be applied towards existing consumer podded products while expanding into edible products across the food and beverage industry.
“For example, when you walk into a coffee shop to pick up your morning beverage, we can replace your sugar or honey sachets with dissolving packets that you can drop directly into your drink. We can even replace your coffee with an instant coffee pod that dissolves in hot water!”
DisSolves is targeting applications for pre-portioned food packaging to eliminate household waste and cater to convenience. “We want to create products that make it easier to do the right thing. When you open a box with multiple pre-packed items, we want you to be able to drop the whole bag into your mixing bowl or pasta pot so that pre-portioned products can be both convenient and waste-free,” added Dr. Julie Willoughby, CTO of DisSolves.
What’s especially exciting about DisSolves' technology is that it empowers users with agency over waste management. “We know what's in our ingredients, and we can watch it dissolve and disappear. This not only reduces waste but also gives consumers peace of mind, knowing they are making healthier choices,” said Jared Raszewski, Founder and Inventor of DisSolves.
Originally developed to service the food and beverage industry, DisSolves was acquired by Big Idea Ventures GFRP (Generation Food Rural Partners) in 2024 and has already secured early adopters and revenue from the supplement and hot drinks sectors. Operating from a food science focused R&D facility, the company ensures that its ingredients are 100% edible.
With the impending increase in regulations, including California SB-54 and Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations, aimed at limiting the sale of plastic-based products, DisSolves is strategically positioned to capture new demand opportunities in the cleaning and personal care markets.
The DisSolves solution is not only cost-effective but also compatible with existing manufacturing processes. In just a few months, the team has demonstrated impressive scalability and performance.
After raising over $5 million from GFRP, DisSolves will launch their pilot facility in early 2025 in rural North Carolina, creating new job opportunities for the Franklin County area, which historically held numerous manufacturing jobs prior to NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement). The new facility will begin delivering water-soluble, edible packaging solutions to early customers. Target customer segments include the food and beverage, cleaning, and personal care industries.
“At DisSolves, we believe the right choice should be the easy choice. That’s why we’ve designed our water-soluble films with well-being as our compass, enabling a plastic-free future where convenience doesn’t compromise health” said Scott Bolin, CEO of DisSolves.
DisSolves is opening its pilot facility in early 2025 and is actively seeking corporate partners to collaborate on podding solutions. For more information about partnership opportunities, visit DisSolves.com or contact info@dissolves.com.
About DisSolves
DisSolves produces the first edible, dissolvable packaging made from all-natural ingredients, delivering the ultimate convenience - no mess, no measuring, no waste.
Acquired in February by Big Idea Ventures, Generation Food Rural Partners Fund, we’re excited to announce our first revenue milestone in October: our corporate early adopters are actively testing our plastic-free film to “pod” their products.
With our team of seasoned entrepreneurs and materials scientists, DisSolves and its patented technology is positioned to seize on the increased demand for PVA-alternative dissolvable films from consumers and new legislative bans.
Join Us
Interested in shaping the future of packaging with us? Fill out this form to connect with one of our Solvers. We’re now enrolling for our Early Adopters Program—be among the first to experience our dissolving solutions. Let’s create a cleaner, healthier packaging future together!