Brussels, 6 March 2026 – EuropaBio is pleased to welcome its newest member, Bene Meat Technologies (‘BeneMeat’).

Founded in 2020, BeneMeat is pioneering a new generation of real animal meat production technology based on controlled cellular cultivation rather than traditional animal farming. As a biotech company within the BTL Group, since its establishment in 2020, BeneMeat has built end‑to‑end technological expertise across biology, chemistry, hardware, software, and commercial implementation. Today, its team of nearly 150 R&D specialists is developing the complete technological ecosystem required for cultivated meat production, from versatile cell line development to scalable, cost‑effective, and reliable manufacturing solutions. The company is prepared to support manufacturers through all the key challenges of bringing cultivated meat to market: technical, legal, regulatory, and commercial.

By joining EuropaBio, BeneMeat aims to contribute practical regulatory expertise at a time when biotechnology policy is rapidly evolving, particularly ahead of the Biotech Act discussions on GMO classification and biotech market access.

BeneMeat is the first in the EU to be registered as a producer of cultivated meat as raw material for pet food (Autumn 2023), proving the company’s regulatory leadership in this space. BeneMeat seeks to collaborate closely with EuropaBio’s Industrial Biotechnology Council to support evidence‑based policymaking that strengthens Europe’s competitiveness in breakthrough biotechnologies.

Dr. Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio, commented: “BeneMeat marks a step change for sustainability and resilience of supply chains for animal food in Europe. It is a fantastic testament to EU progression and innovation, and can only help to support animal health and a thriving nutritional sector.”

Sergey Firulev, Business Development Partner at BeneMeat added: “Joining EuropaBio is a natural step for us. At BeneMeat, we are building a complete technological ecosystem for cultivated meat, from advanced cell line development to scalable manufacturing, and we bring hands-on regulatory experience within the European Union. We aim to actively contribute to expert discussions on the future of biotechnology in Europe, particularly regarding market access and the evolving legislative framework. We believe Europe has the potential to lead globally in breakthrough biotechnologies, provided that regulation remains science-based, predictable, and innovation-friendly. Our ambition is to be a constructive partner in shaping that environment.”

ENDS

About BeneMeat

BeneMeat is a biotech company, part of the BTL Group, focused on developing scalable and efficient cultivated meat production technology. Since 2020, the company has developed deep, end-to-end expertise across biology, chemistry, hardware, software, and commercial implementation of cultivated meat. With 150+ R&D experts, BeneMeat is building the complete technological ecosystem, from versatile cell line development to scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The company is prepared to support manufacturers through all the key challenges of bringing cultivated meat to market: technical, legal, regulatory, and commercial. BeneMeat is the first in the EU to be registered as a producer of cultivated meat for pet food (Autumn 2023), proving our regulatory leadership in this space. “We are not just another company in cultivated meat, we are the technology partner shaping its future.” www.benemeat.com

Cultivated meat

Cultivated meat, also known as cultured meat or cell-based meat, is real animal meat produced by directly growing animal cells in a controlled environment instead of raising and slaughtering animals. The process begins with a small sample of animal cells, which are nourished with essential nutrients and guided to form muscle, fat, and connective tissue, replicating natural biological growth. The result is meat that is biologically identical to conventional meat but can be produced more sustainably, with lower environmental impact and improved animal welfare. A term Cultivated meat refers to meat (including muscle cells, fat cells, connective tissue, blood, and other components) produced by cultivating animal cells, not by slaughtering a live animal. (Source: New Harvest – a research institute that aims to accelerate progress in cellular agriculture).