Israeli start-up Remilk to open ‘world’s largest’ cow-free milk plant in Denmark
Foodtech start-up Remilk has raised $120 million (£92M) to build what it says will be the largest cow-free milk production facility in the world.
Since its founding in Israel in 2019, Remilk has pioneered and refined its yeast-based fermentation process to produce milk that is chemically similar to cows’, but without lactose, cholesterol, growth hormones, antibiotics, and crucially, doesn’t require cows.
Remilk’s cultured milk can be used to make a variety of dairy products that taste the same as bovine produce and function the same on a molecular level.
Aviv Wolff, CEO and Founder of Remilk, said: “Remilk is committed to reinventing our dairy industry in a kind, sustainable way. Eliminating the need for animals in our food system is the only way to supply our world’s growing demand without destroying it in the process.
“We intend to massively scale up our production capabilities to make nutritious, delicious, and affordable dairy that will send cows into early retirement.”
Once built, the start-up says the facility will have the capacity to produce cultured milk protein products in volumes equivalent to that produced by 50,000 cows each year. It will focus on ingredients for foods like cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream.
Even with such a scaled operation, the company says it will still require only “a fraction” of the resources required if they were instead to use cows in their production cycle.
The Israeli company selected Denmark as the location for the new site after a lengthy search process. The 750,000 square feet factory dedicated to precision fermentation will be built within the Symbiosis eco-industrial park in Kalundborg.
Symbiosis is an innovation project that promotes circular production, wherein the by-products of companies located onsite can be utilised by other businesses that are also part of the initiative. This “powerful approach to industrial sustainability” is what attracted Remilk to the area, the company says.
Anne Hougaard Jensen, Director of Invest in Denmark at the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “I am very happy to welcome Remilk to Denmark. This investment is a recognition of Denmark’s position as a global leader in sustainable food production and innovation.
“Remilk brings important knowledge to Denmark in terms of research and development with food ingredients and dairy products. I am convinced that the opening of Remilk’s production facility in Denmark will be an important step towards an even more sustainable future for the food and dairy industry.”
Denmark is striving to become more sustainable and cuts its greenhouse gas emissions. Earlier this month, the country unveiled plans to fund the development of a state-controlled climate labelling system for food, which will help consumers make “the green choice” while shopping.
Additionally, the Danish government has pledged millions of kroner into the development of plant-based foods which have a lower environmental impact on the planet.
