If you asked someone in 2012, what market would be worth an estimated US$8 billion by 2022? No one would have guessed that value would be placed on plant-based meat! But according to Business Wire, the global plant-based meat market is now worth US$7.9 billion and is expected to reach US$15.7 billion by 2027.
Like any gold rush, there will be winners and losers in the struggle to supply products to the rapidly growing demand for plant-based meat products. You may have even tried one of the different vegan meat options, and if so, chances are you found it delicious, but not fancy.
Why 3D-printed vegan meat technology will conquer the competition!
There are new innovations ready to shake up the entire industry. We are talking about products that combine high-tech artificial intelligence with a lot of innovations and even 3D printers. Companies have started vegan 3D printing meat – and it’s sweeping the floor with competition.
What is 3D Printing Vegan Meat?
The simplest explanation is that this high-tech 3D printed meat actually tastes like meat. Many companies have made claims about their soy or bean recipes that – when tested by the public – do not live up to the hype.
There are some very good meat substitutes out there. But it’s highly unlikely that a carnivore would mistake one of those products for animal protein. And it will be rare for a meat-eater to order a vegan alternative just because it tastes so good. But change is coming – fast.
There’s something about animal meat that makes it special. It has a unique texture and “palatability”, which many consider impossible to faithfully reproduce in a vegan form.
They were wrong.
With 3d printing, different textures can be layered in different places, such as vegan beef steak. You may have a little vegetable fat in one part, while the other may be firmer or more ribbed, like “real” meat. The layered textures are part of the genius of 3D meat.
Don’t be surprised to see 3D printed meat on store shelves next year as the startups that make it are ramping up production and getting ready for launch time. And the timing couldn’t be better. As we noted at the beginning of the article, within the next 5 years, the market for plant-based meat will explode.
Especially in Europe, the largest region where the vegan trend is growing at a rate that can be described as exponential. And while there is a grow vegan and the worldwide mobility movement is fueled by growing awareness of health. In terms of environment and animal welfare, Europe has a good start and a relatively affluent population.
Consumption of meat from plants
However, the rest of the world is catching up – even governments are now joining the game by offering incentives to manufacturers of meat and dairy alternatives. In addition, the major food manufacturers are investing serious money in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives (even in Asia love meat!), as they could see the handwriting on the wall, so to speak.
Admittedly it’s a bit hard to imagine right now, but there’s a chance that by 2027, North America could take the throne as this new technology has finally created delicious fake meat…and lots of meat.
Using AI algorithms and teams of tasters, even butchers and chefs, 3D-printing meat startups have unlocked the secret to the winning recipe. These high-tech vegan meat products look, smell, taste and even ‘cook’ like animal meat.
That’s all pretty amazing. And, as one considers AI by definition, always learning to get better. It’s amazing to think what might be available in the next year or two, let alone a decade.
Impact After Covid-19
Right before Covid-19 hit the world (and caused many people to start thinking about what they eat and how to eat healthier), there was a lot of interest in vegan alternatives, but in In recent months, we’ve seen a number of responses, with the headline asking if vegan meat is “has reached the climax.”
The answer is yes or no. Yes, where “old fashioned” meat alternatives have struggled despite being available at major fast-food chains and in countries. In places that are not so-called vegan mecca, people have tried different versions of ‘fake meat’ and the result is ‘meh’.
But the answer to “Has Vegan Meat Peaked?” is a “NO!” Especially if we are talking about kebabs, ground beef and even high-tech 3D printed vegan steaks that are causing a stir in the news and getting excellent reviews from lovers. meat lovers and even famous chefs.
Venture capitalists betting on this “new meat” will be vindicated, and those too short-sighted to spot a trend will wish they had joined this dairy cow early (sorry for the play). letter).
To use analogy, what if people made their judgments about the future of the electric vehicle industry after driving a car? electric power assisted bicycle? Such bikes are ‘beautiful’ but hardly revolutionary and they certainly do not represent the high-tech parts of the e-transportation sector.
Created after half a decade of research and backed by massive investor cash flow, 3D printed meat. A whole new species is on its way to eliminating the competition, as it literally tastes like meat. Something someone else promised but failed to deliver.
Featured image credit: Vidal Balielo Jr.; Pexels; Thank you!
