Opalia and Hoogwegt ink deal to launch world’s first cell-based dairy products

Opalia has taken a decisive step toward bringing cell-based dairy to market through a new commercial agreement with global dairy heavyweight Hoogwegt. The Montreal-based startup announced the strategic partnership in recent days, calling it the world’s first commercial deal to develop and distribute dairy products made without animals.

The agreement, which spans 2026 and 2027, will see Opalia and Hoogwegt collaborate on launching the first-ever cell-based dairy products. By combining Opalia’s proprietary animal-free milk production platform with Hoogwegt’s global distribution capabilities and six decades of experience in dairy markets, the companies aim to showcase the potential of cell-based milk at scale.

“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,” commented Jennifer Côté, CEO of Opalia. “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 commercialize the world’s first cell-based dairy products.”

Sander Hulsebos, CEO of Hoogwegt, added, “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.”

Founded in 2020, Opalia is among a handful of companies racing to commercialize real dairy products made without animals. Instead of using cows, the company produces milk by growing mammary cells in bioreactors. The resulting product contains the same key components of traditional milk – including proteins, fats, and sugars – and can be used to make a wide variety of dairy products such as butter, cream, cheese, and yogurt.

The company has focused heavily on eliminating fetal bovine serum (FBS), a costly and controversial ingredient commonly used in cell-based production. Opalia says its serum-free process represents a major step toward achieving cost parity with conventional dairy. This progress has already attracted attention from major food players. The company has raised a total of US$3 million from investors including Hoogwegt, Big Idea Ventures, and Sustainable Food Ventures, and has secured several letters of intent from large dairy and food corporates.

Hoogwegt, headquartered in the Netherlands, is the world’s largest independent dairy ingredients supplier. With operations in more than 130 countries, the company brings an extensive global network and decades of experience in dairy logistics, product development, and market intelligence. The new deal with Opalia positions Hoogwegt as one of the first major dairy players to place a commercial bet on cell-based alternatives.

Opalia is now working with regulatory agencies to prepare for product tastings and broader commercialization. As part of its scaleup plans, the company is seeking new commercial partners and investors that share its ambition to decarbonize food supply chains.

The company’s platform is designed for B2B applications, providing food manufacturers with a scalable and sustainable source of animal-free milk ingredients. Its goal is to enable the production of traditional dairy products without the environmental footprint or ethical concerns associated with livestock farming.