# Plant-Based Printed Meatballs IKEA is Driving Tech Recruitment with 3D-Printed Vegan Meatballs By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2022-02-03 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printed-meatballs References: [designtaxi](https://designtaxi.com/news/417577/IKEA-Is-3D-Printing-Meatballs-That-Are-Of-Course-Without-Meat/) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR_B0apovn4)  With a tech recruitment drive in Europe, IKEA is attempting to capture the interests of sustainably minded potential employees using plant-based 3D-printed meatballs. IKEA is known for its meatballs and for some time now, it has also been offering [plant-based alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shape-sizzle-mince) that have significantly lower carbon footprints than traditional meatballs. In a new campaign video directed at sustainable tech hires, IKEA invites cyber guardians and aspiring architects alike to meet for a job interview over 3D-printed meatballs. The first-ever 3D-printed IKEA meatballs represent the company's "data and technology to become more affordable, accessible, and sustainable in an omnichannel environment," according to Pascal Pauwels, Chief Information Officer at [Inter IKEA Group](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-4). Looking to the future, IKEA aims to make 80% of its packaged food and 50% of its main restaurant meals plant-based by 2025. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plant-based 3D Printing:** The use of 3D printing technology to create plant-based alternatives is an opportunity for disruption in the food industry. - **Sustainable Tech Recruitment:** Companies can differentiate themselves by appealing to sustainability-minded job candidates through innovative recruitment campaigns like IKEA's 3D-printed meatball interviews. - **Mainstreaming Plant-based Diets:** As companies like IKEA prioritize plant-based options, there is a growing opportunity for disruptive innovation in the plant-based food industry to meet mainstream demand. ### Who This Affects Most - **3D Printing:** The intersection of 3D printing and plant-based alternatives is an opportunity for innovation in the food industry. - **Sustainability:** As more companies prioritize sustainability, there is an opportunity for innovative products and services to meet this demand. - **Plant-based Food:** The push for more sustainable and plant-based options in the food industry creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in product development and marketing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainability-Focused Hiring Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-meatballs.md) - [Plant-Based Meatball Trees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veggieball-christmas-tree.md) - [Decor Retailer Food Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-food-range.md) - [Globally Inspired Meatball Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-around-menu.md) - [Printed Plant-Based Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printed-plant-based-burgers.md) - [Swedish Plant-Based Minced Proteins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-wise.md) - [Insect-Targeted Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seedballs.md) - [Plant-Powered Food Halls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saluhall.md) - [Plant-Based Retailer Cafeteria Sausages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/this-isnt-pork-sausages.md)