Swiss alt-meat company Planted has opened its new production facility in Memmingen, Bavaria, Germany, equipped with modern fermentation technology.

Planted announced plans for a further production facility in southern Germany in Autumn 2024, following increasing demand for clean label and sustainable protein options.

The start-up said it has seen particular excitement among consumers and the foodservice industry in Europe over the past year over the launch of its fermented, clean label steak alternative.

Now, Planted has celebrated the site’s opening, marking a significant expansion of its production capabilities. The new plant in Memmingen is a modern production facility for biostructured proteins, enabling the creation of over 20 tonnes per day in the mid-term. This quantity corresponds to the current capacity of the site in Kemptthal, Switzerland, thus doubling the company’s overall production capacity.

Planted will produce in Memmingen mainly for Germany and other European markets, including the UK. Around 50 technical and operational jobs will be created in the longer term at the plant, which is located at the former site of the Memmingen brewery.

Together with the local Alois Müller Group, a sustainable energy specialist, the plant is being designed to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient, with an aim of working towards CO2 neutrality. Planted relies on groundwater cooling and the heat supply is provided by a sustainable energy system.

Lukas Böni, co-founder and member of the management board of Planted, said: “With an export share of 75% and Germany as our biggest export country, expansion into our largest EU market was the obvious choice. The new proximity to key target markets, combined with a state-of-the-art production facility, allows for more sustainable and efficient logistics and production, helping Planted meet growing demand and stay closer to our international customers.”

He added that the Kemptthal site will remain a “central pillar” of the company’s production, and is particularly important for the Swiss market – however, the site has reached the limits of its capacity.

Planted revealed that numerous new products within its steak portfolio are in development, slated to hit the market this year. The company recently launched a new steak bites product, featuring convenient pre-cubed pieces of its fermented steak.