BERLIN, April 11
BLUU Seafood, Europe's leading food biotech company in the production of cultivated fish, has officially opened the doors to Europe's first pilot plant for cultivated fish in Hamburg-Altona.
The start-up has relocated from Lübeck to a customized 2,000 square meter facility designed for research, production, and office space, enabling them to develop and produce real, tasty, and sustainable fish products without animal suffering or environmental damage. Scaling Up Production with New Fermenters The new headquarters features fermenters with a current capacity of 65 liters and the potential to expand to 2,000 liters, allowing BLUU Seafood to cultivate muscle, fat, and connective tissue cells from Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout in much larger quantities than before. The animal cells grow and divide in the same way as they do in live fish, under optimal temperature, oxygen supply, and nutrient conditions. GMO-Free and Contaminant-Free Fish Products BLUU Seafood's cultivated fish products, such as fish sticks and fish balls, are GMO-free and free from heavy metals and microplastics often found in wild-caught fish. The products are similar to conventional fish in terms of taste, nutritional content, and cooking behavior. Reducing Production Costs and Targeting Market Launch With the new plant and increased production capacity, BLUU Seafood is taking steps towards industrial production and reducing costs. Dr. Sebastian Rakers, co-founder and co-CEO, stated that if scalability and market conditions are favorable, they could offer cultivated fish at wholesale prices within three years. The company expects initial approval in Singapore in early 2025, followed by the US and European Union. Securing Funding for Growth BLUU Seafood has raised more than EUR 23 million since its founding in 2020, with a recent EUR 16 million Series A funding round led by investors Sonae Sparkfood and LBBW Venture Capital. This funding will support the company's growth and advancement of their pilot production plant in Hamburg. As a pioneer in the cultivated seafood industry, BLUU Seafood aims to produce healthy, sustainable, and delicious fish products that provide a real seafood experience without compromise. The opening of their new headquarters and pilot plant marks a significant milestone in their journey to bring cultivated fish to the market.