Air-based protein producer Solar Foods has chosen a site in Selkäharju, Lappeenranta, Finland, as the location of its first industrial-scale production facility, Factory 02.
Solar Foods’ existing facility, Factory 01, can produce 160 tons of protein annually; Factory 02 will significantly increase this capacity to 6,400 tons per year. The final investment decision regarding the construction of the new facility is expected to be made in 2026.
Solar Foods considered several possible locations in Finland and abroad before settling on the site in Selkäharju, which is said to offer exceptional electricity supply opportunities and possibilities to integrate into the city’s district heating network. The decision was also influenced by several other factors, including the price of renewable energy, the reliability of the infrastructure, the constructability of the site, permit processes, possibilities for creating an ecosystem with strategic partners and different stakeholders, the availability of relevant experts and workforce, and financing opportunities for the investment.
Strategic partners
The engineering and implementation of Factory 02 will be carried out with a network of strategic partners, allowing Solar Foods to focus on developing its core gas fermentation technology and related biology, as well as commercialising Solein globally. The strategic partners could be responsible for Factory 02’s real estate, hydrogen production, electricity grids, and cooling and heating capacity, which would significantly reduce the company’s financing needs.
The construction of the facility will take place in phases. The first is expected be operational by the end of 2028, with a design capacity of 3.2 kilotons per year. In 2029, the plant will be expanded to a design capacity of 6.4 annual kilotons. The site also allows for a potential third phase, which would increase the design capacity to 12.8 kilotons per year.
Solar Foods intends to apply for funding from Business Finland to partially cover the construction costs of Factory 02.
International network of facilities
In addition to Factory 02, Solar Foods is planning an international network of Solein production facilities in locations such as the Nordics, the United States, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Earlier this year, the company signed Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent with four international customers regarding a commercialisation plan for a total annual production of 6,500 to 7,650 tons of Solein. If these documents lead to binding agreements, the total volume commitment would correspond to approximately 100–120% of the full 6.4 kiloton production capacity of Factory 02.
“We had several excellent location options for Factory 02,” said Tiia Kuusimäki, Chief Operating Officer at Solar Foods. “We chose the site in Lappeenranta, Finland, because at this stage, it provides Solar Foods with the best conditions to proceed with the design and construction of the production facility according to our plans. We will also continue exploring other possible locations for other future Solein production facilities.”
