Finland-based Solar Foods received regulatory approval from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) for  Solein® back in November 2022,  making Singapore the first country in the world to approve a microbial novel food grown with just carbon dioxide and electricity. Singapore imports more than 90 percent of its food from around the world, which is a driver towards creating a more sustainable food system.

Now, on May 25th, a fine-dining restaurant in Singapore will host the first-ever official Solein tasting event, showcasing the potential of this novel food and making Solein the world’s first protein made out of air to be tasted and eaten by the general public. Professional chefs in Singapore were able to decide the best way to use the product using their creativity to come up with Michelin-starred quality dining.

Solein is a protein that contains all the essential amino acids, with 65-70 % protein, 5-8 % fat, 10-15 % dietary fibers,, and 3-5 % mineral nutrients. The macronutrient composition of Solein cells is very similar to that of dried soy or algae. It is also a source of iron, fiber, B vitamins, and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which also gives Solein its distinct color. It vanishes into foods and doesn’t change the taste of familiar, everyday food products.

Solein complements the nutritional profile of food products without the consumer noticing a difference in the final dish. It can be used as a structure-forming ingredient, for example in alternative dairy and meat, different snacks and beverages, noodles and pasta, or breads and spreads in replacing meat, dairy, and egg.

The product is produced via a microbial fermentation process using gases (carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen) and small amounts of nutrients. The bioprocess resembles winemaking, with carbon dioxide and hydrogen replacing sugar as the source of carbon and energy, respectively. As this process does not require agriculture, photosynthetic plants, or animals, it means Solein is among the world’s most sustainable protein. Ideally suited therefore for food brands looking for nutritious, functional, and sustainable protein ingredients of consistent quality that can be reliably delivered for their products.

Whilst Singapore is the first market to grant Solein regulatory approval, Solar Foods is currently seeking authorisations in other markets across the world.

Factory 01 is Solar Foods’ first commercial production facility, which will begin to produce Solein in 2024. Construction of the facility started in Vantaa, Finland during Q4 2021. Factory 01 will scale Solein production to a level where it can be brought to market for the first time. Solar Foods has plans to expand its network of production facilities in the coming years.

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