Food Innovation: 3D-printed meat-free steak from plant-based proteins
The links between eating meat and climate change have long been documented. In fact, the production of beef and dairy alone takes up 83% of the world’s available farmland and 100g of beef produces over 100kg of greenhouse gases. With such shocking statistics, it is clear that we need to provide alternatives to the current meat production system.
That’s where the talented entrepreneur Giuseppe Scionti, Founder and CEO of NovaMeat, comes in. Through combining his skills in tissue engineering and 3D printing, he has created an affordable ‘piece of meat’ made from vegetable proteins. Best of all, NovaMeat has the same fibrous texture as a real steak – something that other entrepreneurs in this space have struggled to achieve.
In this video, researcher Giuseppe will take you on a visit to his workplace where this new food technology first came to life:
With EIT Food, NovaMeat has received business training and took part in our Innovation Grants competition. EIT Food supports startups at every stage of their development: from ideas to global expansion. Check out how EIT Food can support your startup here.
"The European Union should invest more in the field of plant-based and clean meat research"
- Giuseppe Scionti
FAQ
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.
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