Hoxton Farms, has inaugurated the United Kingdom’s inaugural pilot production unit for cultivated animal fat, marking a pivotal advancement in the plant-based meat sector.
London-based biotech startup, Hoxton Farms, has inaugurated the United Kingdom’s inaugural pilot production unit for cultivated animal fat, marking a pivotal advancement in the plant-based meat sector.
Established in 2020, the company employs a fusion of cell biology and mathematical modeling to generate cultivated fat from pig and cow stem cells, serving as a vital component for plant-based meat. Hoxton Farms primarily targets food ingredient suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers of meat alternatives.
The startup emphasizes that the benefits of cultivated fat extend beyond taste. It necessitates reduced water, land, and energy compared to intensive agriculture, all without causing harm to animals.
Max Jamilly, co-founder of Hoxton Farms, stated, “It’s no secret that the traditional meat industry is broken, but consumers are disappointed when they seek quality alternatives. As people turn away from meat because of concerns over health, environmental impact, or animal welfare, flexitarianism is booming.”
Jamilly added that cultivated animal fat is the crucial element, not only in terms of taste enhancement but also in terms of positive environmental and ethical impacts.
The launch of the London-based facility is a significant stride for Hoxton Farms. It will serve as a platform for further research, prototype development in collaboration with clients, and the escalation of production. Specifically, the team anticipates augmenting production capacity to 10 tonnes of cultivated fat annually, positioning it on the path towards achieving cost-parity with plant oils at a commercial scale.
The facility also houses a hardware workshop where Hoxton Farms will manufacture its own bioreactors, designed to bolster fat cell growth with lower capital outlay. Furthermore, the expanded space will facilitate the company’s growth from 40 to 100 employees.
Co-founder Ed Steele articulated, “By bringing cellular agriculture to the city on a wider scale, rather than a remote business park, we are in the best place possible to find the customers, partners, investors, and talent that we need, and to raise awareness of cultivated fat in a market that has shown it is ready for meat alternatives.”
This milestone comes after a successful £20 million Series A funding round in October 2022, spearheaded by Collaborative Fund and Fine Structure Ventures. It represents a substantial stride for Hoxton Farms as it endeavors to secure regulatory approval for its groundbreaking ingredient.