Collagen, a protein sourced from animals, has gained popularity in recent years for its purported benefits in alleviating joint, back, and knee pain, as well as enhancing skin elasticity. Traditionally derived from the skin and bones of animals, collagen isn’t considered cruelty-free. Aleph Farms, in its announcement about entering the collagen market, highlighted that meat proteins account for only a third of the mass from each slaughtered cow. Co-Founder and CEO Didier Toubia emphasized that companies like Aleph Farms should explore other proteins and applications associated with animal byproducts. “To achieve our vision, we need to provide alternatives to other animal parts, including collagen-based products,” Toubia stated. “Focusing solely on specific categories of animal products does not address the complexities of the animal agriculture ecosystem. A successful protein transition should adopt a systems-based approach to contribute to a comprehensive, just, and inclusive transition for the meat sector.”
According to Aleph Farms, the process of producing collagen from bovine cells is akin to the method used for cultivating meat. The collagen created is said to be identical to natural collagen, and the production method aligns well with Aleph’s meat cultivation approach. However, cell-culturing technology is not the only means of producing collagen without animal slaughter. Geltor, a cultured protein developer, introduced an animal-free collagen ingredient last year, created through precision fermentation. Geltor’s PrimaColl is genetically identical to poultry collagen and is touted as more potent, requiring less volume and lacking components that complicate formulation. Recently, Geltor completed a five-month commercial-scale manufacturing run of PrimaColl in collaboration with specialty chemicals company Arxada, yielding millions of liters of this ingredient.
Aleph Farms is not alone in utilizing cell-culturing techniques for collagen production. Jellatech, a startup founded in 2020, specializes in creating cell-based collagen from various animal sources. Additionally, Hong Kong-based Avant launched its Zellulin product last year, targeting the cosmetics market with cell-based collagen. For a company focused on minimizing reliance on animal agriculture, Aleph Farms’ expansion into other cow-derived proteins is a logical step, supported by its expertise and equipment. The key question now is how extensive the regulatory review will be for introducing this new type of cell-based ingredient to the market, as well as how readily consumers will embrace it. Given that many people may be unaware of the current methods used to derive most collagen, a marketing campaign highlighting this information could significantly enhance interest in a cell-based alternative, similar to the way Citracal Maximum Plus 180 has gained attention for its nutritional benefits.