Steakholder Foods Ltd is partnering with Taiwan’s top research institute to develop and commercialise a range of food products utilising the Israeli firm’s 3D printing technology and plant-based premixes.
Under the agreement, Steakholder Foods and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) will work together to develop commercial high-quality, plant-based meat alternatives that would enable Taiwan to independently produce such meat substitutes, fostering greater food sustainability across the region.
Steakholder Foods said that the products will not only aim to be superior in texture and flavour, but will also be tailored to meet local cuisine. The company added that the partnership will focus on commercialising the products through collaborations with leading food companies in Taiwan.
Yair Ayalon, VP of Strategy and Business Development at Steakholder Foods, said, “We chose ITRI as our collaborator because of their cutting-edge food technologies and expertise in material science, combined with their deep understanding of the Taiwanese market.
“By uniting our pioneering 3D printing technology with ITRI’s invaluable regional consumer insights and local operations, we are uniquely positioned to introduce alternative meat as a sustainable and locally sourced protein option for Taiwan’s consumers.”
Shih-Chi Lee, Deputy General Director of ITRI Central Region Campus, said, “Aligning with Steakholder Foods allows us to extend the boundaries of food technology and sustainability in entirely new ways. Our collaborative efforts will pave the way for exciting advancements in Taiwan’s food industry, expanding our portfolio with new food products and categories, and ultimately contributing to solving food security and creating a healthier planet.”
The majority of Taiwan’s plant-based meat ingredients are imported, and roughly 80% of carbon emissions from plant-based meat production are attributed to material transportation.
Plant-based meat has long been a staple of diets in Taiwan, the industry having been in development for over three decades. According to recent data from Euromonitor, the plant-based meat market in Taiwan reached approximately $311.3 million USD in 2020 and is projected to grow to double that number by 2025.
Taiwan also possesses the second highest population of vegetarians globally, approximately 13%, following only India.
Founded in 2019, Steakholder Foods specialises in developing and selling 3D-printing production machines that are supported by proprietary premix blends and formulated from the highest-quality raw ingredients. The company’s main focus is alternative protein products that replicate the complex textures of traditional meats such as beef steaks, white fish, shrimp, and eel.
Aside from plant-based meats, Steakholder Foods said it is also exploring the integration of cultivated cells as the technology advances.
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