Milestone purchase to be showcased at Fi Europe as Opalia and Hoogwegt advance mammary-cell milk technology towards scale-up
Montreal/Arnhem, Monday 26 October 2026 - Global dairy ingredients company Hoogwegt is to purchase the first production material of Opalia’s cell-based whole milk made from bovine mammary cells, in what the companies describe as a world first. The purchase follows Hoogwegt’s investment in Opalia and a strategic commercial agreement between the two companies.
A prototype will be presented by Opalia and Hoogwegt at Fi Europe in Frankfurt, Germany (Hoogwegt stand: 51C8) on 17–19 November 2026.
Opalia has validated its process of making whole milk from bovine mammary cells at the laboratory scale. Hoogwegt will use the material for composition testing and product development, with potential applications including fresh cheese, yoghurt and butter.
“The future of dairy will be a mix of traditional and new production methods, and we want to help shape it,” says Roland Wientjes, Global Technology Director at Hoogwegt. “Opalia’s technology could combine everything that makes dairy valuable with more cost-effective and sustainable production.”
“Our partnership with Hoogwegt demonstrates that cell-based milk is moving beyond a scientific concept and toward real commercial applications,” says Jennifer Côté, Co-Founder & CEO of Opalia.
By presenting the milk at Fi Europe, Opalia and Hoogwegt aim to connect with strategic partners interested in supporting the technology’s development today and exploring its commercial potential once it reaches the market.
Jennifer Côté and Roland Wientjes will be at the stand to meet potential partners, with the aim of developing these relationships into commercial or offtake agreements.
Scaling from laboratory production
Opalia has recently raised CAD $3.2M to build its proprietary modular bioreactor, which will produce the equivalent of one cow (28L/day) and validate scale-up to larger volumes. Once validated, Opalia, with the support of Hoogwegt, will be able to license its technology to interested customers. Opalia plans to apply for regulatory approval in North America in the coming year and to obtain food grade status in 2028.
Fi Europe 2026
17–19 November 2026
Meet Opalia and Hoogwegt at Hoogwegt’s stand 51C8
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