3D printed food has been served on the table, and this is no longer a concept, but has become a reality.
On October 8, 2024, according to the resource library, Revo Foods, an Austria food technology company, recently opened the world's largest industrial food 3D printing factory "TASTE FACTORY" in Vienna. The plant is expected to produce up to 60 tonnes per month at full capacity. This is the world's first large-scale application of food 3D printing technology, and it also indicates that the food industry will usher in major changes due to the innovation of digital manufacturing technology.
Founded in 2021, Revo Foods is committed to redefining the food industry with 3D printing technology. Its core technology, 3D structure technology, is able to precisely combine different components such as fats and proteins to form complex food forms and structures. With this technology, Revo Foods has created juicy, tender plant-based products, the first of which is THE FILET, which is made from bacterial proteins made from fermented mycelium, and officially hit supermarket shelves on October 3rd.
▍TASTE FACTORY - A milestone in the food 3D printing industry
Food 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that builds food by printing layer by layer, allowing precise control of the texture, structure, and nutritional content of the food. In the traditional food industry, due to the production process relying on high temperature and high pressure, some nutrients are often lost. Revo Foods' 3D printing technology, on the other hand, operates under mild conditions (low temperature and low pressure) and retains more micronutrients, which is not only a huge step forward in industrial food production, but also opens up more possibilities in the field of health food.
Prior to the official launch of the food 3D printing factory, Revo Foods released the innovative Food Fabricator X2 in January of this year. It is a high-throughput 3D printer designed for the large-scale production of whole plant-based meat alternatives and customized foods. The device is capable of printing food products with unique shapes, structures, and textures, and is the world's first method for industrial-grade 3D printed food production.
▍THE FILET - The first product to hit the shelves in more than 500 supermarkets in Europe
Revo Foods' first product, THE FILET, is a plant-based fillet made from bacterial proteins (fermented mycelium) inspired by salmon. Not only is it rich in fiber, free of cholesterol, sugar and gluten, and has a nutritional score of "A", it is a sustainable and healthy alternative to traditional salmon. On October 3, THE FILET went on sale in more than 500 REWE Austria stores in Europe, and consumers can also order it through Revo Foods' online store.
THE MUSHROOM PROTEIN IN THE FILET IS KNOWN AS A "SUPERFOOD", NOT ONLY DOES IT CONTAIN A COMPLETE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION AND HIGH FIBER CONTENT, BUT ITS BIOAVAILABILITY IS HIGHER THAN THAT OF BEEF. However, the key lies in how to make the microbial protein into food suitable for 3D printing.
Revo Foods' 3D structure technology gives plant-based foods a meat-like taste and texture by delicately combining fats with proteins to create a hierarchy that resembles animal muscle tissue. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRECISELY DISTRIBUTED FAT STRIPS IN THE FILET MIMIC THE LAYERED STRUCTURE OF REAL SALMON FILLETS, ALLOWING THEM TO DEVELOP RICH AROMAS WHEN FRIED OR BAKED, RESULTING IN AN AUTHENTIC TASTE EXPERIENCE.
Currently, Revo Foods is working with major food manufacturers and plans to launch more innovative products based on 3D printing technology in 2025, including personalized nutritious foods and mass customized products, to provide tailor-made food solutions for different consumers.
▍Blue Ocean Market - Many foreign companies have entered the market, and China has just started
According to a report by Vantage Market Research, the global 3D printed food market is expected to grow rapidly at a CAGR of 49.9% by 2028, with a total market capitalization of $872.4 million. As a track with huge market potential, the 3D printing food industry has attracted more and more attention and investment, and will usher in significant development opportunities in the next few years.
At present, in addition to Revo Foods, there are also a number of companies that are also actively deploying in the field of 3D printed food. Spain startup Novameat, as well as Redefine Meat, Steakholder Foods and Aleph Farms from Israel, have all launched their own 3D printed food products. In addition, there are many 3D printed meat companies around the world, including CellX in Shanghai, Alt Farm in Hong Kong, Cocuus System Ibérica in Spain, Mooji Meats in United States and BlueNalu in Chile.
In addition, Hangzhou-based start-up FredLab (Hangzhou) Technology has also received multiple rounds of financing. Its brand MOODLES is closer to the eating habits of Chinese, and its main products are high-protein 3D printed noodles and rice balls.