The concept of artificial meat is not a new concept. There has been talk of the artificial meat revolution for a while to ensure that the growing population is fed more sustainably. China is also seeking a sustainable source of animal protein to feed its large population. A Shanghai-based startup made an important breakthrough in this regard.
THE FIRST PILOT FACTORY IN CHINA STARTED
According to the news of the South China Morning Post, the startup CellX has launched China’s first cultured meat – artificial meat (a form of cellular agriculture in which meat is produced by culturing animal cells in a laboratory) pilot factory. Thus, an important breakthrough was achieved.
ANOTHER STEP TO BRING ARTIFICIAL MEAT TO THE DINNER TABLE
Ziliang Yang, the venture’s co-founder and CEO, said in an interview that the pilot plant is one step closer to bringing artificial meat to the dinner table before large-scale production.
Yang said the Shanghai facility has a 2,000-liter bioreactor capable of producing “single-digit tons” of cultured meat per year, and more bioreactors will be added soon.
“INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THIS PILOT FACILITY…”
“The information from this pilot plant will be used for our commercial production facility, which we plan to complete by 2025 and can produce hundreds of tons of products per year,” Yang said.
Yang said the pilot plant will help reduce the venture’s production cost to less than $100 per pound, making it competitive with premium meats.
Yang added that the startup’s commercial production facility will start operating in 2025, which will further reduce costs.
Cultured meat is produced by growing animal cells, eliminating the need to raise animals for food.
(Photos are representative)