SWITZERLAND – Givaudan, Bühler and Migros have joined forces to create a new pilot facility for cellular agricultural products, as they look to expand their presence in this high growth sector. 

In cellular agriculture, animal cells are used as a starting point, and then technologies such as fermentation are employed for the cultivation of meat products.  

The result is meat identical in structure and in taste to its animal counterpart with vastly reduced environmental impact and no mass farming or slaughter. 

Located in The Valley in Kemptthal, Switzerland, the Cultured Food Innovation Hub will serve as a self-sustainable company offering facilities and knowledge to support other organisations with their cultured meat, fish and seafood, and precision fermentation progress.  

Bühler contributes contributes to the new hub with solutions that are used in the scale-up and production of thousands of food products around the world.  

Givaudan, on the other hand, brings in centuries of experience and knowledge in every aspect of taste, including all kinds of meat alternatives, and deep expertise in biotechnology, to product development.   

Leading Swiss retailer Migros is on the other hand known for its competence in customer interaction and market cultivation. 

The Hub will be equipped with a product development laboratory, as well as cell culture and biofermentation capabilities to aid start-up businesses entering the market. 

“Cellular agriculture offers a solution in several areas from reducing land use and water, to animal welfare, to the safety and quality of the food chain,” said Bühler’s chief technology officer, Ian Roberts. 

 “The three partners in this new venture are each committed to sustainability as individual companies; the combined effort enables the journey to a more sustainable food system.” 

The new cultured agriculture is timely as there exists a growing need to produce food in ethical and sustainable ways. 

Furthermore, recent studies have shown that when consumers learn the basics about cultured meat, their interest in trying it increases considerably.  

In addition, cultured meat is considered antibiotic-free and can be fortified with vitamins or nutrients, making it a more healthier option compared to animal meat. 

Bühler contributes to the cultured agriculture with solutions that are used in the scale-up and production of thousands of food products around the world 

It has been forecasted by cultured meat pioneers that during the early days of the movement, hybrid products containing a combination of plant-based and cultivated meat will take center stage on the market. 

This latest initiative follows Givaudan’s previous partnership with Redefine Meat to develop more authentic 3D-printed plant-based steaks. 

In other moves within the alt-protein arena, Givaudan previously partnered with Redefine Meat to develop more authentic 3D-printed plant-based steaks.  

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