KFC is to trial the production of 3d bio-printed chicken nuggets this autumn.

After striking a partnership deal with 3D Bioprinting Solutions, the fast-food chain aims to create bio-printed chicken that replicates both the taste and appearance of a regular nugget by using chicken cells and plant material. It will then provide its partner with all of the required breading and spices to replicate the trademark KFC taste.

These trials will mark KFC as the first major fast-food chain to sell lab-grown chicken nuggets directly to it’s customers. 

In contrast to the production routine of KFC’s traditional nuggets, the fried chicken giant expect the process of the 3D printed nuggets to be far more beneficial from an environmental perspective. According to a study by the American Environmental Science & Technology Journal, the technology of growing meat from cells allows energy consumption to be cut by more than 50%.

“Our experiment in testing 3D bio-printing technology to create chicken products can also help address several looming global problems,” said Raisa Polyakova, Russian CEO of KFC. “We are glad to contribute to its development and are working to make it available to thousands of people in Russia and, if possible, around the world.”