Cell-based catch: Steakholder Foods nets Gulf investment for 3D printed fish

28 Jul 2023 --- Israel-based Steakholder Foods has announced a deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council to advance food security efforts by commercializing its 3D fish bioprinting technology. The public-private sector alliance seeks to alleviate food security threats in the region.

The GCC represents an economic union between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The multi-million-dollar deal, which is expected to generate a “substantial income stream” for Steakholder Foods, involves an investment – “a material initial down payment” – by the GCC in constructing a pilot plant to produce printed hybrid-fish products, followed by a milestone-based sales and procurement plan for industrial-scale output.

“Our 3D bioprinting technology fundamentally reshapes the food production landscape, offering a robust solution to address food security challenges. By using bio-inks, made of plant-based ingredients and cultivated cells, we can 3D print food, mimicking the structure and texture of conventional fish and meat,” Arik Kaufman, CEO at Steakholder Foods, tells Food Ingredients First.

“This allows us to produce high-quality, nutritious food consistently and sustainably.” 

The ultimate goal is to create a “first-of-its-kind” large-scale production facility in the Persian Gulf region.

“After intensive years of development, Steakholder Foods is excited to sign this first agreement with a strategic partner, generating our first income stream that represents one of the first substantial income agreements for a company in the cultivated meat industry, a huge step forward,” says Kaufman.

Arik Kaufman, CEO at Steakholder Foods.“We believe that we have chosen the right partner, and together, we are committed to advancing the cause of food security and creating a positive impact on the world.” 

“This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment in our journey to commercialize our 3D printing capabilities. Looking ahead, we remain committed to pursuing additional strategic partnerships to enable us to deliver innovative solutions for the food tech industry,” adds Yair Ayalon, VP of business development at Steakholder Foods. 

Printing with DropJet technology
The collaboration will leverage Steakholder Foods’ expertise in providing mature Ready-to-Cook (RTC) 3D printer technologies and customized bio-inks tailored to produce a wide range of species-specific cultivated fish and meat products, as well as vegetable-based products. 

“The secret lies in our proprietary DropJet and Fusion technologies. For our fish products, we use DropJet technology, which allows us to create 3D structures by depositing droplets of gel-based materials. This technology is perfect for replicating fish and seafood's delicate, flaky texture,” details Kaufman.

“In contrast, for other meats, we deploy our Fusion technology, which extrudes paste materials through a narrow nozzle. This method creates fiber textures that best simulate the texture of conventional meat fibers, providing the mouthfeel and consistency consumers expect from meat products.”

Suppliers believe that hybrid products meet the demand for sustainable, healthy nutrition while offering authentic flavors and familiar textures that meat-eaters know and love.

Next food frontiers
The 3D-printed hybrid fish is created using a proprietary mix of “SH inks,” a “crucial component” of the company’s 3D printing technology, according to Kaufman. 

“These bio-inks are comprised of cultivated cells and plant-based ingredients, meticulously formulated to guarantee the production of flavorful, safe and consistent end products. What sets us apart is our commitment to customization,” he explains.

“We aim to empower our clients to create bio-inks tailored to any type of species they wish to produce, catering to specific needs and preferences. These bio-inks will be readily available for purchase alongside our 3D printers. Thus, Steakholder Foods is not just offering a product, but an adaptable solution that can cater to a wide variety of food production needs.”

In other related news, yesterday also from Israel, cellular agricultural company Aleph Farms sought regulatory approval for its cuts of cultured beef In Switzerland. This marks the first-ever application to sell cultivated meat in Europe. The 3D-printed hybrid fish is created using a proprietary mix.

Food security in the desert
The nature of cultivated food – food produced directly from cells without the need for animal slaughter – has the potential to revolutionize the global food system and provide a sustainable solution for regions with harsh environments and limited natural resources. However, the region has the insight and monetary assets to fund pioneering research.

“Traditional methods often struggle with environmental sustainability and predictable output, given the variables of climate and ecosystem health. However, 3D bioprinting technology enables to bypass these issues, operating efficiently in controlled environments and unaffected by external farming or fishing conditions,” Kaufman underscores.

“Additionally, with the ability to scale up or down based on demand, our technology ensures a consistent supply of food, irrespective of seasonal fluctuations or adverse conditions that may impact traditional food production.”

Kaufman tells us that Steakholder Foods will be supporting the GCC with securing the regulatory approval defined by the relevant countries, in order for these countries to reap all the benefits of the technology. This is particularly important now as increasing inflation within the economies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is causing slower economic growth and commensurate food insecurity, according to a report by the World Bank.

“3D bioprinting is a crucial tool for enhancing food security, providing reliable, sustainable and scalable food production,” Kaufman concludes.

By Marc Cervera