The startup company CellX recently introduced lab-grown pork at a price equivalent to conventional pork by 2025.
CellX produces lab-grown meat. (Photo: CellX).
The biotechnology company CellX, based in Shanghai, claims that its developed technology can address challenges associated with lab-grown pork. It is the first company to offer lab-grown pork in China. With 30% of global demand, China is the largest meat consumer in the world, with an annual meat consumption of 86 million tons. Lab-grown meat promises to become a stable supply while significantly reducing carbon emissions from traditional meat processing.
CellX’s pork products contain cells taken from China’s native black pigs. These cells are cultured in a growth medium, using a biological scaffold to promote development. CellX is also utilizing 3D printing technology to achieve the right lean ratio and applying food science to replicate the flavor of conventionally raised meat.
CellX reports that it has reduced production costs by more than five times and aims to decrease them by ten times by next year. The growth medium still uses the company’s animal serum, which not only deviates from the goal of “no animal consumption” but also significantly contributes to the final costs. The company plans to transition to a plant-based growth medium and reach prices equivalent to conventional pork by 2025.
In response to concerns about emissions from meat production, countries are seeking alternative protein sources that can provide meat for the population while being environmentally friendly. Animal-derived meat has been around for a long time but needs further development to replace animal meat. Lab-grown meat, cultivated from animal cells, closely resembles conventional meat in shape and texture but is not yet produced on a large scale and remains costly, making it difficult for consumers to access.
