Betagro, a major player in Thailand’s meat sector, has made a strategic investment in Meatable, a cultivated-meat company based in the Netherlands. This move, facilitated by Betagro’s venture capital division, Betagro Ventures, is considered a significant milestone. It marks the first time an Asian meat company has invested in a business focused on producing lab-grown meat from animal cells.
Meatable views this partnership as a vital step in enhancing its mission to transform protein production in response to the rising global demand for meat. The company proudly claims to have pioneered advanced cell-based technology capable of generating high-quality pork and beef that replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional value of traditionally sourced meat. Utilizing a proprietary stem cell technique known as Opti-ox, Meatable successfully cultivates animal cells in a laboratory setting.
In light of this collaboration, Meatable aims to expedite its growth and facilitate market entry into Asia, while potentially opening avenues for co-development projects with Betagro. CEO Jeff Tripician expressed, “This investment is not just a testament to the potential of our cultivated meat technology but also a strong indication that established food leaders like Betagro are willing to champion innovation for a sustainable future.”
Tripician added that with Betagro’s profound insight into the Asian market and its expansive network, he is confident that this alliance will significantly enhance Meatable’s capabilities to introduce cultivated meat products throughout Asia.
Chayadhorn Taepaisitphongse, managing director of Betagro Ventures, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “Betagro Ventures’ investment into Meatable represents our group’s commitment to innovation and driving sustainable change across the food industry. We firmly believe in the underlying technology and vision of Meatable and look forward to partnering with the company to bring cultivated meats to consumers across Southeast Asia.”
In late 2022, Meatable took a substantial step toward commercializing its lab-grown products by opening a new facility in its home market. This site, located on the Bio Science Park in Leiden, spans 3,300 square meters, effectively doubling the size of its previous office and laboratory space. As a result, Meatable can expand its bioreactor capacity significantly—from 50 to 200 liters, and eventually up to 500 liters—allowing for enhanced testing and production.
This partnership not only underscores the evolving dynamics within the food and beverage industry but also highlights the growing interest in food and drink business innovations. Keeping pace with the latest food and drink consumer trends is essential, and this collaboration indicates a shift towards sustainability in meat production.
For further information about the ongoing trends in the food and beverage sector and to understand how partnerships like this impact consumer choices, visit notable industry resources.
