Food Innovation: 3D-printed meat-free steak from plant-based proteins

What is NovaMeat?

NovaMeat is a Barcelona based food tech startup, founded by bioengineer Giuseppe Scionti in 2018, that develops 3D printed, plant-based whole cuts of meat, such as steak, designed to replicate the fibrous texture of real meat using ingredients like pea protein, rice and seaweed.

How does NovaMeat's 3D printing technology work?

NovaMeat combines tissue engineering and 3D printing techniques, using a paste made from plant proteins that is extruded through a customised printer to create fine, muscle-like fibres, giving the final product a texture closer to real meat than typical plant-based mince or burger alternatives.

Why does 3D printed meat matter for sustainability?

Producing beef and dairy uses around 83% of the world's available farmland, and 100g of beef can generate over 100kg of greenhouse gases. Plant-based alternatives like NovaMeat's 3D printed steak aim to replicate the eating experience of meat while reducing this environmental footprint.