Opalia and Hoogwegt join forces to launch the first cell-based dairy products

One of the biggest privately held dairy ingredient suppliers in the world, Hoogwegt, and Opalia, a pioneer in cell-based dairy production, have struck a  strategic commercial partnership for the world’s first cell-based dairy products.

The move is seen as a significant turning point for the worldwide cell-based dairy business as well as Opalia’s objectives for scale-up and commercialisation.

The commercial agreement for the next two years (2026-2027) is to create the world’s first cell-based dairy products and showcase Opalia’s cell-based milk products’ versatility and global opportunity.

The collaboration combines Opalia’s proprietary sustainable cell-based dairy manufacturing technology with Hoogwegt’s dairy products and global markets expertise covering more than 130 countries and six continents.

Founded in 2020, Opalia has been establishing itself as a leader in the cell-based dairy industry with its efforts to achieve cost parity by eliminating FBS from its process, attracting several LOIs from large food and dairy corporates, and raising a total of three million from Hoogwegt, Big Idea Ventures, and Sustainable Food Ventures amongst others.

“Hoogwegt’s purchase order to support Opalia’s development of the world’s first cell-based dairy development reflects their trust and commitment in our pioneering technology,” said Opalia’s CEO, Jennifer Côté. “Hoogwegt’s proven expertise in dairy product development and global dairy markets, as well as their commitment to sustainability, aligns perfectly with our strategic goals, and we are confident that this purchase order will allow us to commercialise the world’s first cell-based dairy products.”

Sander Hulsebos, CEO of Hoogwegt comments: “After already having invested in Opalia, this commercial purchase agreement between Opalia and Hoogwegt is a next major step towards establishing Opalia as a strategic supplier of cell-based milk in Hoogwegt’s future sustainable dairy supply chain.”

Opalia is actively working with regulatory agencies to showcase its cell-based dairy products at tasting events as it prepares for scaling and commercialisation.

Opalia said it is interested to meet with commercial partners and investors who are eager to decarbonise its supply chain and to be part of the next chapter in sustainable food innovation.