Opalia Sells First Batch of Cell-Based Milk
The biotech firm finalized the first sale of whole milk produced from bovine mammary cells to partner Hoogwegt.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Organic Food
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Montreal-based startup Opalia has sold its first production batch of cell-based whole milk to its investor, the Dutch dairy company Hoogwegt. This transaction marks the first recorded commercial sale of milk manufactured using bovine mammary cells in a bioreactor.
Why it matters
The sale serves as a critical milestone in the development of cell-cultured dairy products intended to eventually compete with traditional milk and dairy derivatives. Both companies are now working toward product development for consumer goods including yogurt, butter, and cheese.
Opalia currently utilizes a proprietary modular bioreactor system with a maximum production capacity of 28 litres of milk per day. The company previously closed a CAD $3.2 million seed round earlier in 2026.
The players
Opalia
A Montreal-based biotechnology startup focused on producing dairy products from bovine mammary cells.
Hoogwegt
A global dairy ingredient supplier headquartered in Arnhem, Netherlands, that serves as an investor and partner to Opalia.
The details
Opalia and Hoogwegt, based in Arnhem, signed a two-year commercial agreement in August 2025 to pursue these technologies. The companies plan to showcase a prototype of their development during the Fi Europe trade show.
Timeline
Hoogwegt joined a CAD $2 million funding round for Opalia in 2024.
A two-year commercial agreement was signed in August 2025.
A prototype will be presented at Fi Europe in Frankfurt from November 17-19, 2026.
Opalia is targeting food grade status for its production by 2028.
Culture Shift
This development follows a pattern set by the 2020 Singapore regulatory approval of lab-grown chicken by moving cell-based food technology closer to standard industry commercialization. It reflects a broader shift toward sustainable laboratory-grown alternatives in the global protein market.
Consumers should not expect these products on grocery shelves immediately as the company requires further regulatory approvals. Future access will depend on the successful development of various dairy staples like butter and cheese.
The takeaway
Opalia intends to eventually license its modular bioreactor technology to external manufacturers. This strategy could lower the barrier to entry for other companies looking to produce dairy without traditional livestock farming.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the alternative dairy sector at Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by vegconomist - the vegan business magazine.
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Would you buy milk produced from bovine cells instead of from a traditional dairy farm?
