Believer Meats, a pioneer in the cultivated meat sector, has entered into a strategic partnership with GEA, one of the leading global suppliers of production-scale equipment and systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. This collaboration aims to co-develop technologies and processes that enhance the economic viability and sustainability of cultivated meat production.
The partnership will prioritize optimizing the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of cultivated meat production, starting with chicken and potentially expanding to other products. Key areas of focus will include advancements in bioreactor technology, perfusion systems, and media rejuvenation, all while minimizing environmental impact through improved water usage, reduced power consumption, and initiatives promoting a circular economy, such as waste stream utilization. Together, Believer and GEA strive to lower production costs, facilitate technology transfer, and efficiently scale operations, making cultivated meat more affordable and accessible.
“Believer is on track to address the key challenges of scalability. Partnering with GEA—one of the leading manufacturers in engineering and biotech equipment—enables us to innovate the advanced technology and process engineering needed to produce cultivated meat products cost-effectively,” said Gustavo Burger, CEO of Believer. “This collaboration will enhance our production yields sustainably and efficiently, aligning with our primary goals. The cultivated meat industry is charting a new course, and we are excited to work with GEA, optimistic about what lies ahead.”
With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the need for resource-efficient food production is critical. Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA, stated, “We share Believer’s vision that cell cultivation technology is essential for making safe, healthy meat widely accessible and affordable. We are eager to partner with Believer in developing and scaling up their operations, in line with our mission: ‘Engineering for a better world.’”
Believer Meats and GEA aim to strengthen the cultivated meat ecosystem, moving the industry closer to full-scale production. Their strategic partnership will also focus on establishing joint commercial ventures that capitalize on both companies’ strengths and resources, expanding market reach and accelerating the global growth of the cultivated meat sector.
As a leader in the rapidly evolving cultivated meat industry, Believer is dedicated to developing efficient and scalable cell-cultivation technologies to produce safe, healthy, and delicious cultivated meat products. The company is currently constructing the world’s largest cultivated meat production facility in Wilson, N.C., which will feature a cutting-edge innovation center and tasting kitchen. Set to become operational in early 2025, the facility is designed to produce at least 12,000 metric tons (26 million pounds) of cultivated chicken annually—without the need for animal slaughter.
In this partnership, GEA will design and implement proprietary bioreactors tailored for Believer’s cell-cultivation technology, aiming to achieve high cell densities and yields. A central aspect of this collaboration is Believer’s centrifuge-based perfusion and cell media rejuvenation process, which optimizes cell performance while conserving water, nutrients, and resources. This innovative approach reduces production costs by eliminating byproducts and allowing for media reuse. The companies will further collaborate on process enhancements, equipment optimization, and scaling innovations to support the large-scale production of cultivated meat.
