Meatable – a Dutch biotechnology company aimed at producing cultivated meat, particularly pork – convened an exclusive summit focused on sustainable meat production at its headquarters in Leiden.

The event attracted policymakers, investors and industry leaders, all committed to exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable food system.

The summit, themed "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Learning from the Great Inventors of Our Time," provided a platform for influential figures to discuss the role of technological advancements in scaling sustainable meat production.

Notable speakers included Chris Skidmore, former UK Energy Minister and chair of the Net Zero Review; Danielle Nierenberg, president of the US think tank FoodTank; and chef Andrew Hunter, who shared culinary insights in the context of sustainable practices.

Attendees participated in lab tours at Meatable's facilities, where they engaged with scientists and leadership, sampling the company's cultivated meat products. This hands-on experience served to reinforce the feasibility of alternative protein sources in the current food landscape.

A central theme of the discussions was the importance of collaboration across sectors to drive systemic change within the meat industry. The summit facilitated networking opportunities that could lead to strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating the transition to sustainable protein sources.

Jeff Tripician, CEO of Meatable, noted the necessity of action in achieving real progress, stating: “By bringing together industry pioneers, we are forging partnerships that will shape the future of food”. This sentiment reflects a growing recognition within the food manufacturing sector of the need for collective efforts to address sustainability challenges.

The discussions at the summit are particularly relevant for food manufacturers looking to adapt to shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable products. As regulatory frameworks evolve and public awareness of environmental issues increases, the meat industry faces pressure to innovate.

Cultivated meat technologies, like those developed by Meatable, present potential pathways for reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional meat production.