Hoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturingHoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturingHoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturingHoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturingHoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturingHoxton Farms x Mitsui Chemicals for global biomanufacturing

Hoxton Farms and Mitsui Chemicals announce strategic partnership to advance global biomanufacturing

London, UK and Tokyo, Japan - 19 June 2025 - Hoxton Farms, the UK-based pioneer of cultivated pork fat, and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (TSE: 4183), one of Japan’s leading chemical manufacturers, have announced a strategic collaboration to drive next-generation biomanufacturing in Japan, Asia and beyond.

The goal of the partnership is to accelerate the scale-up and commercialisation of biomanufacturing technologies for high-value industries such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and sustainable materials. The two companies will focus on integrating Mitsui Chemicals’ advanced materials into Hoxton Farms’ proprietary modular bioreactor technology.

In parallel, the companies will explore joint opportunities to scale production of cultivated fat and other cell-based products across sectors including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and sustainable materials. Mitsui Chemicals has also made a strategic investment in Hoxton Farms as part of the collaboration.

Unlocking scalable manufacturing to grow the bioeconomy

Around the world, demand is growing for low-emission, biology-driven alternatives to petrochemical and animal-based products. There is a need for strong biomanufacturing capabilities to support the next generation of high-value industries. From food and health to materials and chemicals, companies and governments alike are looking to establish robust, local supply chains that can reduce reliance on imports and strengthen their economic outlook.

In Asia, Japan has prioritised the development of industrial biomanufacturing as part of its Bioeconomy Strategy. Similarly, South Korea and China are making strategic government-led efforts to boost biomanufacturing, with South Korea launching the Advanced Biotechnology and National Synthetic Biology Initiatives, and China integrating biotech into its 14th Five-Year Plan. But today, scalable, cost-effective biomanufacturing infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. 

Hoxton Farms’ novel bioreactor systems, designed for large-scale cell culture at radically low costs, offer a promising platform for a wide range of bioproducts. By combining these with Mitsui Chemicals’ technical and manufacturing expertise, the partnership aims to hasten the commercial readiness of biomanufacturing – starting with Hoxton Fat, but with broader applications in sight.

Complementary expertise, shared vision

Hoxton Farms is developing its first ingredient, Hoxton Fat: cultivated pork fat grown from pork stem cells. Hoxton Fat is healthier than traditional pork fat without compromising on taste or performance. This versatile, customisable and scalable ingredient offers food manufacturers a drop-in solution for animal fats or plant oils in applications ranging from soups and sauces to conventional meat. One of the company’s core innovations lies in its low-cost, modular bioreactors, designed in-house to make cultivated fat commercially viable at industrial volumes.

Mitsui Chemicals brings decades of experience in chemicals manufacturing, process engineering, infrastructure development and international partnerships as well as a comprehensive portfolio of materials suitable for biomanufacturing systems. Through this collaboration, the partners will co-develop and deploy advanced materials that improve the efficiency, durability and scalability of biomanufacturing systems.

“As demand for sustainable alternatives grows across industries, we need a new generation of biomanufacturing infrastructure,” said Max Jamilly, co-founder and CEO of Hoxton Farms. “Mitsui Chemicals is the perfect partner to help us scale our platform, not just for Hoxton fat, but for a broader bioeconomy.”

Mitsui Chemicals' investment into Hoxton Farms represents a shared commitment to accelerating industrial biotechnology and supporting the next generation of sustainable manufacturing.

Beyond food: a platform for tomorrow’s bioproducts

While cultivated fat remains the first target, Hoxton Farms’ technology can be adapted for other cell-based ingredients and bioengineered products, from cosmetic products to cell therapies and bio-based chemicals. The goal is to build versatile biomanufacturing infrastructure that enables innovation across sectors, unlocking economic growth.

Shunsuke Fujii, General Manager of New Business Incubation Center, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. said “We are very excited about the great potential of Hoxton Farms' future biomanufacturing technology. Starting with Hoxton Fat, an innovative and delicious ingredient that aligns with the sustainability policy of Mitsui Chemicals Group, we look forward to working together to establish an ecosystem for a wide range of applications and worldwide regions, leveraging our knowledge of materials and manufacturing.”

Together, Hoxton Farms and Mitsui Chemicals aim to establish a scalable, resilient biomanufacturing ecosystem that will support industrial innovation in Japan, Asia-Pacific and around the world.

About Mitsui Chemicals

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (TSE: 4183) aims to become a corporate group that uses the power of chemistry to solve social issues and continues to grow sustainably by creating diverse value. By expanding its solution-based business model, responding to the circular economy, and strengthening its business foundation through digital transformation,

Mitsui Chemicals aims to quickly solve social issues and contribute to a sustainable future.

For more information, visit https://jp.mitsuichemicals.com/en/index.htm

About Hoxton Farms

Hoxton Farms makes cultivated fat for the next generation of food and bioproducts. Using a combination of cell biology, proprietary bioreactors and machine learning, the company grows real animal fat without the animals, crafting a healthier, sustainable and delicious alternative for food manufacturers. The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in London, UK.

For more information, visit www.hoxtonfarms.com

Media contacts: 

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Corporate Communications Department
+81-3-6880-7500
https://form.mitsuichemicals.com/corporate/cc_pr_csr_en?param=13

Hoxton Farms Ltd
Annie Conde
hello@hoxtonfarms.com