Solar Foods to Test Innovative Protein Production Technology in Space
Solar Foods has entered into a partnership with OHB System AG, a European space technology company, to develop a pilot project for testing its Solein® gas fermentation technology in space. The project, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) under its Terrae Novae Exploration Programme, focuses on adapting the Solein production system for microgravity environments, such as the International Space Station (ISS). The project, named HOBI-WAN (Hydrogen Oxidizing Bacteria In …
Solar Foods’ Factory 01 Reaches Productivity Targets, Enabling Production at Full Capacity
Finnish air-based protein producer Solar Foods has announced that its first commercial-scale facility, Factory 01, has reached production parameters that enable it to operate at full design capacity. Factory 01 will now be able to produce 160 tons per year of Solar Foods’ protein, Solein, after its productivity reached 1 g/l/h and its energy efficiency value (O2/CO2) reached 2.7. Production was successfully ramped up following a maintenance break this summer. …
Solar Foods Develops Mayonnaise Using Solein Protein as Egg Yolk Replacement
Solar Foods, a company specializing in microbial protein production, has created a mayonnaise product using Solein®, a protein derived from air, that replaces traditional egg yolk. This new formulation demonstrates the versatility of Solein, which can be used in a wide variety of food applications, including those that require protein sources like dairy or egg yolk. Solein, which is produced via fermentation, offers significant production advantages. When used in mayonnaise, …
Solar Foods Submits GRAS Notification for Solein Air-Based Protein, Aiming to Receive FDA No Questions Letter
Finland’s Solar Foods has submitted a GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) notification to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aiming to obtain a no questions letter for its air-based protein, Solein®. The company has submitted a dossier for evaluation, including necessary documentation on the safety of the product. After a preliminary check, the FDA will begin its core scientific evaluation, which could involve asking further questions and requesting …
Solar Foods Signs Letter of Intent Regarding Commercialization of Up to 1,650 Tonnes Per Year of Its Air-Based Protein, Solein
Finland’s Solar Foods has signed a Letter of Intent with a leading international brand in health and performance nutrition, with the aim of commercializing between 500 and 1,650 tonnes per year of its air-based protein, Solein, over the period 2026-2030. The Letter of Intent describes the companies’ intentions to collaborate on the development of products in the Health & Performance category, and outlines the fundamental principles of the planned collaboration. …
Solar Foods Signs MoUs Regarding Commercialization of 6,000 Tonnes of Solein, While Fazer Launches Solein-Powered Products in the US
Solar Foods has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two international customers regarding the commercialization of 6,000 tonnes of its air-based protein, Solein, per year. The MoUs are a joint plan of the companies and outline the principles of the planned collaboration. Solar Foods has already been working with the companies on research and product development. If the collaboration leads to a binding agreement, the 6,000 tonne volume would …
Solar Foods Advances Solein with New Funding and US Introduction of Protein Bites
Finnish food tech company Solar Foods has received an additional €10 million in funding from Business Finland to support the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of its Solein protein. The grant is part of the company’s Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) funding, which was approved by the European Commission. The funding increase is part of a €33.6 million tranche first approved in December 2022. Business Finland has adjusted …
Solar Foods Edges Closer to Regulatory Approval for Air-Based Protein in the EU
Finland’s Solar Foods is moving closer to regulatory approval in the EU after addressing inquiries from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding the safety of its air-based protein, Solein. The company submitted its novel food application back in 2021, providing a detailed dossier containing manufacturing data, product information, and supporting scientific evidence. Solein is currently undergoing a comprehensive application process to ensure it is safe for consumption, not misleadingly …
Rami Jokela Appointed CEO of Solar Foods as Company Targets Global Markets
Solar Foods has announced the appointment of Rami Jokela as its new chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2025. Jokela, who brings extensive experience in scaling international businesses, will lead the company as it moves from research and development into global commercialization. Jokela succeeds founding CEO Pasi Vainikka, who has led the company since its inception. Vainikka will continue in an advisory role through the end of 2025 to support …
Finnish Alternative Protein Firms Secure €10M for Collaborative R&D Projects From Business Finland
Business Finland has granted two Finnish projects — FoodID and FinBioFAB — 10 million euros in R&D funding to create alternative proteins and materials through research collaboration. The Finnish projects were accepted into the Global Centers program led by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), operated jointly by six countries aiming for breakthrough solutions to global challenges. This year’s funding call focused on the bioeconomy, with the main themes being biofoundries …