Hoxton Farms, a UK-based biotech company, has announced a new partnership with Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., a major Japanese chemical manufacturer. The collaboration aims to accelerate biomanufacturing for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable materials.
The companies plan to integrate Mitsui’s advanced materials into Hoxton’s modular bioreactor technology. They will explore opportunities to scale production of cultivated fat and other cell-based products across multiple sectors. Mitsui Chemicals has also made a strategic investment in Hoxton Farms.
Global demand is rising for low-emission, biology-based alternatives. Industries seek local, scalable biomanufacturing infrastructure. This shift is driven by governments and companies aiming to reduce reliance on imports and petrochemicals. Japan’s Bioeconomy Strategy emphasizes biomanufacturing development. South Korea and China are also investing heavily in biotech initiatives and policies. However, scalable, cost-effective manufacturing remains a challenge.
Hoxton Farms has developed bioreactors designed for large-scale cell culture at low costs. Their first product, Hoxton Fat, is cultivated pork fat grown from stem cells. It offers a healthier alternative to traditional pork fat, without sacrificing taste or performance. Hoxton Fat can replace animal fats or plant oils in foods like soups, sauces, and meats. The modular bioreactors are key to making cultivated fat commercially viable at industrial volumes.
Mitsui Chemicals brings extensive experience in chemicals manufacturing, process engineering, and materials development. Their expertise will help develop advanced materials to improve biomanufacturing efficiency, durability, and scalability.
Max Jamilly, CEO of Hoxton Farms, said the partnership supports the growth of sustainable biomanufacturing infrastructure. Mitsui’s investment demonstrates a shared commitment to industrial biotechnology and the bioeconomy.
While cultivated fat is the initial focus, Hoxton Farms’ technology can be adapted for other cell-based ingredients. The aim is to create a versatile biomanufacturing platform for multiple industries, driving economic growth.
Shunsuke Fujii of Mitsui Chemicals expressed excitement about the potential of Hoxton’s technology. The companies aim to build a resilient, scalable ecosystem for biomanufacturing in Japan, Asia-Pacific, and globally.
