Singapore’s UMAMI Bioworks and Israel’s Steakholder Foods have completed a two-year R&D collaboration to develop a scalable process for 3D-printed cultivated fish production, funded by the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (SIIRD).
According to the companies, the partnership has “laid the groundwork” for producing structured cultivated fish fillets at scalable volumes using 3D printing technology and customized bio-inks, marking a significant step toward bringing these products to the market.
“Through this collaboration, we are integrating cutting-edge 3D-printing technology into our cultivated seafood production”
As part of the project, a grouper fillet, claimed to be the world’s first 3D bio-printed cultivated fish fillet, was unveiled in early 2023. Building on this innovation, the companies have developed a portfolio of prototypes to showcase the versatility of 3D printing and cultivated cells in making alternatives that match the characteristics of traditional seafood.
Mihir Pershad, CEO of UMAMI Bioworks, commented, “Through this collaboration, we are integrating cutting-edge 3D-printing technology into our cultivated seafood production platform to meet the growing demand for ethical, high-quality alternatives without compromising marine biodiversity.”
Preparing for market launch
Now that they have proved the feasibility of 3D-printed cultivated fish production at scale, the companies will partner with Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) to enhance their 3D-printed fish fillets for a commercial launch, targeting local and international markets. In addition, they will work to meet emerging food safety standards and regulatory frameworks to ensure the products’ readiness for commercialization.
“We hope to bolster the cellular agriculture industry as an alternative to the agri-food sector”
The companies claim that their R&D efforts will serve as a blueprint for other partnerships poised to develop sustainable production methods to address the environmental impact of conventional fishing practices.
Pershad added, “Our partnership with Steakholder Foods is well aligned with our strategy to create a sustainable seafood platform with the scalability required for global impact.”
Dr. Ho Chaw Sing, CEO of NAMIC, shared, “We hope to bolster the cellular agriculture industry as an alternative to the agri-food sector by leveraging Steakholder Foods’ proprietary 3D printing technology and UMAMI Bioworks’ cultivated bioproduct expertise to accelerate the development of alternative seafood products, with comparable taste and texture to natural seafood.”
Leveraging collective strengths
UMAMI Bioworks has developed a platform for cultivated seafood to address the overfishing crisis with sustainable alternatives, positioning itself as a leader in the blue bioeconomy. This year, the company, which merged with the cultivated crustacean startup Shiok Meats, has expanded into South Korea, India, and the UK and announced a partnership with the US startup Friends & Family Pet Food Co. to launch cultivated fish cat treats in 2025.
Steakholder Foods, an innovator in alternative proteins and 3D printing, has been expanding its industrial-scale manufacturing technologies, increasing business development and marketing activities, and offering seafood and meat solutions for the plant-based market.
Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods, commented, “Partnering with UMAMI Bioworks allows us to further extend our longstanding expertise in 3D printing of plant-based seafood to the production of cultivated products. By leveraging our collective strengths, we aim to quickly develop commercial products that meet industry needs while aligning with regulatory and sustainability goals.”
