Believer Meats breaks ground on US cultivated meat production facility

Believer Meats, formerly known as Future Meat Technologies, has begun construction of a 200,000-square-foot commercial-scale production facility.

Once fully operational, the site will have “the capacity to produce at least 10,000 metric tons of cultivated meat,” making it the largest facility of its kind, according to Believer Meats.

The project represents an initial investment of around $123.35 million in Wilson County, North Carolina, which is located approximately 40 miles east of the state’s capital city, Raleigh. The Israeli company plans to create more than 100 new jobs over the next three years.

The facility will feature proprietary bioreactors that can achieve high cell densities and yield based on patented processes. It will also house an R&D and innovation centre.

Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, CEO of Believer Meats, said: “Our facility propels Believer forward as a leader in the cultivated meat industry. Our brand has continually proven our commitment to scale production technology and capacity, and with our new US production centre, we are one step closer to commercialisation.

“Believer is setting the standard globally to make it possible for future generations to eat and enjoy meat.”

North Carolina Governor, Roy Cooper, commented: “We’re pleased to welcome Believer Meats to North Carolina. This important decision to build its first US commercialisation operation in Wilson County validates our innovative research and development and highly skilled talent, while further cementing our state as the best in the nation to do business.”

Believer says that the facility is the latest in a series of developments as it prepares to bring products to consumers.