Kfc 3d Printing Chicken Nuggets

Welcome to Thomas Insights — every day, we publish the latest news and analysis to keep our readers up to date on what's happening in industry. Sign up here to get the day's top stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Would you eat a 3D-printed chicken nugget if you knew it would help the environment?

Alongside additive manufacturing, 3D-printing has many problem-solving applications including 3D-printed toilets that address sanitation problems, 3D-printed housing, and 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE), which has been so desperately needed in the fight against COVID-19.

The latest development comes from KFC, who recently announced its plans to produce 3D-printed chicken nuggets.

The fast-food giant will unveil the nuggets in Russia later this year, but fried-chicken lovers in the rest of the world could be waiting quite some time before they'll be able to 3D-print chicken from the comfort of their own homes.

How Will the 3D-printed Nuggets Be Produced?

In mid-July, KFC announced its partnership with 3D Bioprinting Solutions, detailing plans to produce the world's first laboratory chicken as part of its "restaurant of the future" concept.

Bioprinting, which has been used in the creation of tissues and organs for medical purposes, is a method that uses typical 3D-printing techniques to incorporate biological materials.

The research laboratory in Moscow will use both plant material and chicken cells to advance its additive bioprinting technology and produce a nugget that will closely replicate the taste, texture, and look of KFC's original nuggets. While live animals will scarcely be used in the process, KFC will supply the lab with its seasoning and breading ingredients to attain the taste loved by so many.

What Are the Benefits of 3D-printed Nuggets?

KFC cites several benefits to its 3D-printed chicken nuggets.

Most notably, meat produced in this way is much more environmentally friendly. The American Environmental Science & Technology Journal published a study that revealed that cell-based meat could consume more than half the energy of traditional farm-based meat production, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use.

Raisa Polyakova, General Manager of KFC Russia & CIS, said: "our experiment in testing 3D bioprinting technology to create chicken products can also help address several looming global problems. We are glad to contribute to its development and are working to make it available to thousands of people in Russia and, if possible, around the world."

Other drivers include the growing popularity of healthy and nutritious food and demand for alternatives to traditional meat products. KFC's 3D-printed nuggets will contain fewer additives.

While this particular product won't be entirely meat-free, KFC has demonstrated its commitment to becoming a "restaurant of the future." Last year, for example, the fast-food chain became the first to incorporate Beyond Meat's plant-based chicken into its menus.

What Does the Future Hold for 3D-printed Meat?

Lab-grown meat has been several years in the making, with start-ups including Memphis Meats leading the way in developing the technology. While consumer attitudes have held back progress, KFC's latest venture might help to accelerate the industry's growth.

Image Credit: Pavlovska Yevheniia / Shutterstock.com

Kfc 3d Printing Chicken Nuggets

Source: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/kfc-will-3d-print-chicken-nuggets/#:~:text=KFC's%203D%2Dprinted%20nuggets%20will,based%20chicken%20into%20its%20menus.

Posted by: kilbyindart.blogspot.com