MeaTech and Umami Meats collaboration to bolster 3D-printed cultured seafood in Asian markets

14 Jul 2022 --- MeaTech 3D, an international food tech company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Umami Meats for the joint development of 3D-printed cultured structured seafood.

This collaboration opens a door for both companies into the Asian market and Singapore, which is currently the only country authorized to produce and distribute cultured meat.

A boost for alt-proteins
The agreement is part of MeaTech’s strategy of collaboration with other players in the alternative protein space and takes advantage of the company’s flexibility in its technological and biological capabilities to develop a wide range of species.

With this agreement, MeaTech will add seafood to its portfolio of bovine, avian and porcine products under development. 

Umami Meats, a Singapore-based cultured seafood company, is focused on developing species that are expected to experience severe supply-side shortages in the coming years due to climate change, overfishing and continuously growing consumer demand. 

According to The Food Industry Association, the global seafood market was estimated to be worth US$110.2 billion by 2022 and is growing at a CAGR of 3.6%.The collaboration creates an opportunity to enter the Asian market with 3D-bioprinted structured seafood products.

Ramping up 3D bioprinting tech
The company’s 3D bioprinting technology can produce complex meat products with pinpoint precision at an industrial production rate without impacting cell viability. 

MeaTech is developing and commercializing its 3D-printing capabilities in-house and to third parties in the food tech sector through its private subsidiary. 

“This new agreement reflects our commercialization strategy of industry collaboration using our unique 3D printing capabilities. We’re excited about entering into the seafood sector and believe it will lead us to new market pathways throughout Asia and worldwide,” explains Arik Kaufman, MeaTech’s CEO and founder.

MeaTech also sees this collaboration as an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to helping preserve marine ecosystems and wildlife, while addressing the environmental challenges surrounding the aquaculture and fishing industries.

Cell-based advances
The move also comes amid a drive in cultured meat technology. MeaTech 3D has been developing cultured meat products from the onset of the plant-based and cell-based meat movement. The company began constructing a pilot plant in 2021 to scale-up cultured chicken fat production.

“This partnership will enable us to build upon our technology platform for cultivating fish muscle and fat to produce a variety of structured products that meet the desires of discerning consumers,” adds Mihir Pershad, Umami Meats’ CEO and founder. 

“We believe cultivated seafood holds tremendous potential to provide a local, sustainable source of healthy protein and to address many of the challenges facing our food system and our oceans.”

At the end of last year, Umami Meats was shortlisted for its nutritious and healthy cultivated fish that promote the future of sustainable seafood at the Fi Europe 2021 Innovation Awards & Startup Innovation Challenge. 

Edited by Elizabeth Green