Tech start-up debuts ‘world’s first’ plant-based 3D printed eel with ‘real meat texture’

Steakholder Foods says the launch of its plant-based eel is a ‘pivotal moment’ in the seafood industry as more consumers turn to alternatives

Vegan unagi may soon be in restaurants as startup Steakholder Foods introduces a groundbreaking solution to combat the challenges faced by the fishing industry – the world’s first 3D-printed eel.

With overfishing threatening extinction, the company aims to revolutionise the market by leveraging its expertise in 3D printing and cultivated meat.

Last month, it launched the ‘world’s first’ plant-based eel which it says ‘accurately replicates’ the ‘complex texture’ of eel – which is commonly used in countries such as Japan.

The announcement comes on the heels of the startup’s successful collaboration with Umami Meats, resulting in the world’s first cultivated grouper fish. This venture, supported by a $1 million grant from the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation, positions Steakholder Foods as a pioneer in the realm of cultivated meat and seafood.

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3D-printed seafood

The plant-based tech startup describes itself as a ‘pioneer’ in 3D printing technology and cultivated cell innovation. 

To make the its 3D-printed vegan eel, Steakholder Foods utilised precision layering and a distinctive blend of materials to create the prototype. The innovative 3D bioprinting process, named DropJet, not only achieves the complex texture of the eel but also aligns with the increasing consumer demand for clean-label formulations.

The company, responding to market preferences, is committed to reducing the number of ingredients in its vegan eel.

Steakholder Foods is also exploring partnerships to commercialise its plant-based eel. The company plans to offer proprietary 3D printers and ink to generate short-term revenue for its collaborators, emphasising the potential for mass-producing price-competitive 3D-printed eels.

‘Boost profitability’

CEO Arik Kaufman dubbed the launch as a ‘pivotal moment’ in the seafood industry. 

“This technology is designed to enable partners to generate products on a potential industrial scale of hundreds of tons monthly, not only at lower costs compared to wild eel, but also with the flexibility to create a variety of printed products using the same production line,” he added.

“Such versatility could significantly boost profitability for food companies and lead the way to a shift towards more efficient and sustainable practices in the industry.” 

Although not hugely popular in the UK, the global eel market is valued at a whopping $4.3 billion dollars, with an expected CAGR growth of 2.19 per cent. However, due to ‘breeding difficulties’ in eel farms and issues such as illegal poaching – Steakholder foods say there is significant need for ‘sustainable alternatives’.

3D-printed vegan food

Steakholder Foods is not the only company experimenting with 3D printing to replace meat with plant-based alternatives.

In recent years, a number of companies have released hyper-realistic products that closely replicate the taste and texture of meat but are entirely plant-based.

These innovative 3D printed meat products will enable chefs to continue to create authentic and traditional dishes without using animal products.

In fact, the products have proved so impressive that legendary chef Marco Pierre White has already launched 3D printed steaks from Redefine Meat in his restaurants across the UK.

Austrian startup Revo Foods has also been making waves with its 3D printed vegan salmon made from mycoprotein that boasts a Nutriscore of ‘A’ thanks to its high protein and Omega 3 content.

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Featured photo © Steakholder Foods