Revo Foods, a Vienna-based start-up, has introduced a groundbreaking product to the market – a 3D printed vegan salmon filet. The company, known for its plant-based seafood range, including smoked salmon and spreads, has partnered with Swedish firm Mycorena to create the filet made from algae, pea protein, and mycoprotein. This unique product, named ‘THE FILET – Inspired by Salmon’, showcases Revo Foods’ patented 3D food printing technology called MassFormer. This technology enables the seamless integration of fats into a protein matrix, resulting in a new generation of authentic seafood alternatives with the flakiness and juicy fibers of fish filets. Notably, Revo Foods has developed the first-ever continuous production process for mass-producing 3D-printed food, marking a significant milestone in the food tech and plant-based whole cuts sectors.
CEO Robin Simsa emphasizes the transformative nature of this industrial-scale 3D food printing breakthrough, stating, “We are not just creating a vegan alternative; we are shaping the future of food itself. This new process is a gamechanger.” With the ability to create new categories of authentic plant-based meat alternatives, such as vegan steaks and filets, Revo Foods is revolutionizing the food industry.
The key ingredient in the filet is mycoprotein derived from filamentous fungi, delivering exceptional nutritional values and a natural meat-like texture. Furthermore, this ingredient requires minimal processing and fewer resources compared to conventional fish production methods, making it highly environmentally friendly. In collaboration with Mycorena, Revo Foods engineered the “Promyc” protein base specifically for 3D printing purposes. This development received support from European funding amounting to €1.5 million.
Founded in 2020, Revo Foods holds two patents for its continuous 3D protein printing technology and has received €7 million in funding. The vegan salmon filet, priced at €6.99, will be available at REWE supermarkets in Vienna and for online purchase.
CEO Simsa asserts that 3D printing technology can easily scale up, comparing it to existing systems used in chocolate or pasta production. The innovative aspect lies in the products it enables the creation of, such as the fine distribution of muscle and fat materials in Revo Foods’ whole-cut salmon fillet. This sophisticated layering cannot be achieved through standard extrusion processes, making food printing an essential tool for such innovations.
With sustainable seafood alternatives becoming increasingly urgent, Revo Foods’ new product aims to meet consumers’ demands without contributing to overfishing. Authentic taste, appealing to flexitarians, is the key to the success of these alternatives, as the company recognizes. Revo Foods’ 3D printed vegan salmon filet presents an innovative and sustainable option for the ever-evolving food and beverage industry.
