Partnership set to expand cultivated beef production in South Korea

UK-based cultivated meat innovator 3D Bio-Tissues has signed a Head of Terms with South Korea’s SeaWith, a leading developer of cultivated beef, to supply its premium cell culture media, City-Mix®, helping cut production costs by around 30%.

Under the agreement, 3D Bio-Tissues will provide a regular commercial supply of City-Mix® to SeaWith, supporting its efforts to scale up cultivated beef production. The deal, valued at approximately £300,000, marks a significant step for 3D Bio-Tissues as it brings its technology into one of Asia’s fastest-growing cultivated-protein markets.

Founded in 2019, SeaWith uses seaweed-derived technologies to produce sustainable, slaughter-free meat alternatives. Its flagship Welldone™ line focuses on cultivated beef designed for scalability and reduced environmental impact. The company has raised over $8 million in venture funding to date.

South Korea is emerging as a key hub for alternative proteins, supported by initiatives such as the Regulatory-Free Special Zone (RFSZ), which allows companies to bypass certain regulatory hurdles for five years, accelerating commercialisation. With growing consumer interest and strong government support, the country’s cultivated meat sector is expected to expand rapidly in the coming years.

Che Connon, CEO of 3D Bio-Tissues, said: “Partnering with SeaWith brings City-Mix® to one of Asia’s most dynamic cultivated meat markets. Our technology not only boosts cell yield and tissue quality but also significantly lowers production costs, helping make cultivated meat commercially viable at scale.”

Heejae Lee, CTO and Co-founder of SeaWith, added: “City-Mix® aligns perfectly with our high-performing muscle stem cells, supporting both robustness and scalability. This collaboration is an important step toward regulatory approval and commercial production.”

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