Steakholder Foods expands its 3D-printing with plant-based shrimp

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (STKH) has done it once again. The company has expanded its 3D-printing capabilities with the world’s first plant-based, 3D-printed shrimps, "expertly designed to mimic the authentic texture and flavor of conventional shrimps."

The shrimp-flavored ink, used by the DropJet printer, has been developed by the Steakholder Foods' food technology team. STKH bought this printer which is particularly for fish and seafood printing.

From the company's current portfolio, you can choose either a plant-based (analog) option or a hybrid one, combining plant and cultivated elements. As economies of scale grow, the aim is to make cell development more cost-effective and competitive in pricing.

At the beginning of the year, STKH launched an industry-first 3D-printed eel. The intricate texture of the eel was achieved through precision layering and a unique combination of materials through its proprietary 3D printing technology.

On the other hand, with 7.6 million tons of shrimp harvested in 2023​, the 3D-printed shrimp solution aims to "provide partners and customers with the means to meet growing demand through high-volume, efficient, and sustainable production, offering a practical and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional shrimp farming."

Arik Kaufman, CEO of STKH, said: "By unveiling a second new species of plant-based, 3D-printed seafood this month, we expect to position Steakholder Foods to sell and deliver its first DropJet printer in 2024, offering partners and customers a unique opportunity to benefit from the expanding global seafood market, while making the right kind of impact on the environment."