Solar Foods begins commercializing its bioengineered Solein protein bites snack

FINLAND – Solar Foods has announced the commercialization of its first product, the Solein Protein Bites Nut Mix, which is made using Solein, an all-purpose protein derived from air.

Located in Finland, Solar Foods has targeted the health and performance nutrition market with this snack, which features a combination of Solein, peanut butter, hazelnuts, and a chocolate-flavored coating.

In September 2024, the company earned a self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for its Solein protein.

“For this first product concept, we wanted to choose the beloved flavors of hazelnuts and peanut butter to demonstrate how seamlessly Solein fits into existing popular product categories. At Solar Foods, we are revolutionizing food, not the act of eating. This means consumers can continue enjoying creamy textures and rich, indulgent flavors they are accustomed to. When you taste it, you won’t even realize that the product is made from a groundbreaking new ingredient.” Juan Manuel Benítez-García, the chief commercial officer at Solar Foods, said.

The Solein protein is touted for containing all nine essential amino acids, and it has no cholesterol or saturated fats. Additionally, it is rich in iron and vitamin B12.

Established in 2017 as a spinoff from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and LUT University, Solar Foods developed Solein, which it claims is the world’s most sustainable protein.

The company employs microbial fermentation to transform carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen into its protein ingredient, eliminating the need for fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and fertile land.

Unlike traditional agriculture, the production of Solein does not rely on water, weather, or climate, and it can even be produced in extreme conditions like deserts or the Arctic.

Surprisingly, it can even be produced in outer space, prompting Solar Foods to partner with the European Space Agency to develop a system for producing food on Mars.

The microbes used in production are cultivated in liquid form and then dried into an orange-yellow powder.

A life-cycle analysis by the company indicates that Solein’s greenhouse gas emissions amount to just 1% of those produced by conventional meat and 20% of plant-based proteins.

Its nutrient composition includes 65-70% protein, 5-8% fat, 10-15% dietary fiber, and 3-5% mineral nutrients. The macronutrient profile resembles that of dried soy or algae and includes iron and B vitamins, which are typically sourced from animal-based foods.

“Just like with quantum computers, it’s no longer a question of whether cellular agriculture will become a reality; it’s evident that it will. The question now is who will lead the charge,” co-founder and CEO Pasi Vainikka stated.

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