Nutreco has completed construction on the ‘world’s first’ dedicated food-grade powder production facility for cell feed in Boxmeer, the Netherlands.

The site, which runs at commercial operation level, produces the ‘first’ cell feed product developed specifically for the cell-cultured meat industry.

The team at the new food-certified production facility has successfully produced the first commercial batch of 50kg of cell feed, with plans to produce several hundred kilograms per week, growing in pace with the cell-ag industry.

Susanne Wiegel, head of Nutreco’s alternative protein programme, said: “The cell-cultured protein industry is in its development stage and one of its biggest challenges is how to feed protein cells cost-efficiently, sustainably and at scale. We see potential for this industry to be one solution to the challenge of feeding the rising global population and are committed to helping the industry grow by becoming a supplier and a solutions provider."

David Blakemore, Nutreco’s CEO, added: “We must continue to drive productivity and reduce the environmental footprints in the animal protein value chain and produce protein from more and more varied sources – animals as well as alternative sources of protein such as plant-based protein, meat or seafood developed from animal cells and protein produced through fermentation. Our investments and innovation in the cell-cultured protein industry are just one way we’re tackling the challenge.”

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