SuperMeat, an Israeli food-tech company founded in 2015, is innovating cultivated chicken production with a focus on affordability, scalability, and sustainability. Known as the only company producing cultivated chicken with muscle and fat grown directly from animal cells, SuperMeat has recently announced key advancements bringing it closer to market readiness. SuperMeat aims to make cultivated chicken a commercially viable alternative to conventional poultry with its new technology.
In fact, the startup’s technology allows chicken muscle production in just four days and fat in 24 hours, a significant acceleration compared to traditional farming timelines. This process begins with achieving a high cell density of 80 million cells per milliliter within nine days—a benchmark achieved without genetic modifications or animal-derived components. The rapid growth and maintenance of high-density cultures enable a continuous production cycle with consistent yields, addressing one of the industry’s primary challenges: producing meat at scale while maintaining quality.
These advances position SuperMeat to meet large-scale production needs faster than conventional poultry farming, which typically requires 42 days to raise a chicken to maturity. The company’s innovations also help establish a streamlined process that could meet consumer demand and foster confidence in the product’s reliability and quality.
One of the largest cost drivers in cultivated meat production is cell feed, which traditionally included serum and other costly animal-based components. SuperMeat has introduced an animal-free cell feed system, reducing feed costs to under $0.50 per liter. The company’s cells begin producing their own growth factors after six days, which minimizes ongoing feed requirements. This advance allows a minimal feeding schedule, cutting operational costs and making cultivated meat more competitive with conventional meat prices.
In partnership with Ajinomoto, a global food and biotechnology company, SuperMeat is working to create a scalable supply chain for cell feed ingredients. Ajinomoto’s expertise in biotechnology and fermentation has made it a valuable ally in SuperMeat’s mission to establish a commercially viable production platform.
SuperMeat’s production model features small, efficient bioreactors that yield substantial volumes of meat. In a 10-liter bioreactor, the company can produce approximately 66 pounds of cultivated chicken, demonstrating high efficiency within a minimal spatial footprint. Once production scales to an industrial facility, SuperMeat projects an annual output of 3 million kilograms (or 6.7 million pounds), which equates to the meat yield of approximately 2.7 million chickens. This system requires about 80% less land than traditional poultry farming, highlighting its potential to reduce environmental impact through more efficient resource use.
Moreover, SuperMeat’s funding journey reflects a strong commitment to innovation in food technology. Supported by grants from the Israeli Innovation Authority, the company has developed the world’s largest open high-throughput screening system to identify optimal cell media ingredients. In collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, SuperMeat now has the capacity to screen hundreds of thousands of ingredients, setting an open standard for cell media ingredients and further lowering costs.
In addition to its work with Ajinomoto, SuperMeat has also formed a partnership with PHW Group, one of Europe’s largest poultry producers, to drive European market entry and distribution efforts. These partnerships enhance SuperMeat’s production capacity, create an efficient supply chain, and foster the support needed for regulatory approvals in different regions. Together, these initiatives strengthen SuperMeat’s ability to move cultivated chicken from pilot-scale production to widespread commercial availability.
SuperMeat and other companies in the cultivated meat sector are navigating complex regulatory environments. Singapore was the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meat in 2020, a milestone for the industry. In the United States, regulatory bodies are currently evaluating applications, with SuperMeat targeting an initial product launch by 2025. European markets, where regulatory processes are more stringent, represent a promising yet challenging target. SuperMeat is actively working with Cellular Agriculture Europe to facilitate regulatory pathways and promote consumer awareness, as European consumers have shown high interest in sustainable protein alternatives.
The potential market for cultivated meat is substantial. McKinsey estimates the global industry could reach $25 billion by 2030. However, success in this market requires navigating regulatory landscapes, securing consumer acceptance, and achieving cost competitiveness
The environmental impact of cultivated meat is a significant factor in its appeal. Studies suggest that cultivated meat could reduce carbon emissions by up to 92% and water usage by 66% compared to traditional beef production. SuperMeat’s approach aligns with these findings, with its process expected to require substantially less land and water than conventional poultry farming. The company’s focus on resource efficiency not only reduces environmental impact but also addresses growing concerns around food security and sustainability.
The company has taken steps to engage and educate consumers through The Chicken, its pilot facility, where potential partners and the public can experience its production process firsthand. Consumer awareness remains low in some regions—around 64% of Americans, for example, are not yet familiar with cultivated meat. SuperMeat’s emphasis on transparency and education aims to bridge this gap and build trust in its product as a viable, animal-friendly protein source.
While the startup has made strides in cost reduction and efficiency, challenges remain in scaling production and meeting consumer demand at competitive price points. Regulatory barriers, especially in regions like the EU, add complexity to the commercialization process. Nonetheless, SuperMeat’s partnerships, technological advancements, and cost-cutting measures signal a strong trajectory toward market entry. As the company progresses, it aims to further optimize its supply chain and explore opportunities to expand its product line and geographical reach.
By setting cost targets that make cultivated chicken competitive with conventional meat, SuperMeat is positioning itself as a leader in the cultivated meat industry. With scalable production, strategic partnerships, and a focus on consumer acceptance, SuperMeat’s vision of a sustainable, animal-free meat market could become a reality in the near future.
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