Food sustainability is one of the major global challenges of our time. In this context, biotechnological innovation has become a key tool for improving food production systems.
With this vision, MEAT4U has been developed—an ambitious research project led by BioTech Foods, funded by European resources, and involving several other companies in the sector to advance the development of cultivated meat in Spain and across Europe.
What is the MEAT4U project about?
The main objective of MEAT4U is to research the processing and preservation of cultivated meat in order to ensure its viability as a safe, healthy and competitive protein source.
The project has made it possible to address the main challenges in the development of cultivated meat, such as high production costs, as well as improvements in taste, texture and aroma, and consumer acceptance.
To achieve this, new production and preservation strategies based on recombinant proteins obtained from plants have been investigated. In addition, the project explores the valorisation of generated by-products to create new value-added compounds, such as biofertilizers or materials for the plastics industry. This holistic approach not only reduces waste, but also maximises the positive impact of biotechnology applied to the food industry and other strategic sectors.
BioTech Foods, a driving force for innovation in cultivated meat
As the consortium leader, BioTech Foods has played a central role in the scientific and technological coordination of the MEAT4U project, consolidating its position as a national and international benchmark in cultivated meat development.
Alongside BioTech Foods, the consortium includes the companies Agrenvec, Aves Nobles y Derivados, and Fertinagro Biotech, with the collaboration of leading public research institutions such as Biomagune, CEBAS-CSIC, the University of Zaragoza (CHESO group) and CNTA.
This public–private collaboration enables the project to be addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating scientific, technological and industrial capabilities. In addition, MEAT4U is part of the Missions Science and Innovation 2024 call, promoted by CDTI and funded by the European Union.
A decisive step towards the future
MEAT4U represents a significant advance for the Spanish agri-food sector in a field where cultivated meat has not yet been commercialised. Its potential impact goes beyond the project itself, laying the foundations for positioning Spain as a European benchmark in alternative protein and food biotechnology.
Through initiatives such as MEAT4U, BioTech Foods strengthens its commitment to applied innovation.
