Project Eaden—a Berlin-based startup deploying fiber spinning and compounding technology to create “ultra-realistic” meat alternatives—has raised a €15 million ($15.6 million) Series A round.
The round, which takes Project Eaden’s cumulative funding to €27 million ($28.1 million), was backed by climate tech fund Planet A, retail giant REWE Group, DeepTech & Climate Fonds, Happiness Capital, and AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance along with returning investors Foodlabs and Creandum.
The funding will help the firm scale up manufacturing and support the launch of plant-based ham at 2,000 REWE stores in Germany in mid-2025.Revolutionizing Plant-Based Meats: The Future of Food Technology
As the demand for plant-based meats continues to soar, retailers like REWE Group are embracing game-changing technology to bring these products to the mainstream market. Clément Tischer, head of foodtech at REWE Group, shared with AgFunderNews that the plant-based meat category is experiencing dynamic growth in Germany. The retailer has strategically placed dedicated shelf spaces in all stores, making plant-based products easily accessible to consumers.
One of the key factors driving the popularity of plant-based meats is the significant improvement in product quality. Advances in taste, texture, and nutritional value have broadened the appeal of these products to a wider audience. Tischer highlighted the exceptional texture and mouthfeel of products from Project Eaden, emphasizing the scalability and cost efficiency of their technology.
According to Tischer, the ability to produce price-competitive plant-based alternatives of consistently high quality is a game-changer. This technological advancement allows plant-based options to compete not only as niche products but as mainstream protein choices.
Exploring Whole Cuts in Plant-Based Meats
While most plant-based meat alternatives are processed products like burgers and sausages, several startups are focused on creating whole cuts through innovative approaches. Companies like Rival Foods, Planted, Chunk Foods, Green Rebel Foods, Juicy Marbles, Tender Food, Offbeast, MyForest Foods, Meati Foods, SWAP, and Novameat are at the forefront of this movement.
Notable advancements in whole cut production include solid-state fermentation, shear cell technology, injection molding, and metamaterials. Professor Yaakov Nahmias, known for founding Believer Meats, introduced a novel approach using injection molding and metamaterials to create whole cuts.
As the plant-based meat industry continues to evolve, these innovative technologies are reshaping the landscape and driving the sector towards a more sustainable and ethical future.
Further Reading:
- Could injection molding with metamaterials solve the scalability challenge for whole cuts of alt meat?
- Chunk Foods makes US retail debut with plant-based steaks
- Novameat raises $19.2m to expand next-gen plant-based meat texturizing tech: ‘We have a clear path to profitability’
- Plant-based whole cut startup Juicy Marbles plans US retail launch in 2025, aims for profitability by year end
- Rival Foods ramps up ‘shear cell’ texturizing tech for plant-based whole cuts
- Swiss startup Planted rolls out ‘first of its kind’ fermented plant-based steak
With the continuous innovation and technological advancements in the plant-based meat industry, the future looks promising for a sustainable and delicious alternative to traditional meat products. Some parts are chewy, some are tender, some are elastic, some are thin, some are thick, but all are paving the way for a more environmentally friendly and ethical food system.
