Re:Lab-grown meat may never be cost-competitive enough to di...
by beerandt on Tuesday September 28, 2021 @01:41PM
(#28685382)
Linear scaling of any project large enough to disrupt an industry (as is being suggested here) is a pipe dream.
When you are trying to scale up something that big, you eventually get beyond economies of scale for the required infrastructure and feedstock, and as a result, increase overall demand, which raises prices.
You only get near-linear scaling for a very short, initial "ramp-up" period.
Beyond that, you start cornering markets, which makes prices spike, not decrease or even hold steady.
When you are trying to scale up something that big, you eventually get beyond economies of scale for the required infrastructure and feedstock, and as a result, increase overall demand, which raises prices.
You only get near-linear scaling for a very short, initial "ramp-up" period.
Beyond that, you start cornering markets, which makes prices spike, not decrease or even hold steady.