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As the production process

is not reliant on agriculture,

weather, or climate, it can similar to wine-making with carbon dioxide and hydrogen
replacing sugar as the source of carbon and energy, re-
spectively. The microbes are not modified in any way.
take place anywhere, in any ture, weather, or climate, it can take place anywhere, in
As the production process is not reliant on agricul-
any part of the world, or even space!
Besides the nutritional edge, Solein is perhaps one
A scientific research program at the VTT Technical
part of the world, or even Research Centre of Finland and the Lappeenranta Univer- of the world’s most sustainable proteins since it com-
pletely avoids all the environment-damaging & destruc-
sity of Technology led to the discovery of an innovative
new way to turn emission-free electricity and carbon tive land use as well as animal suffering. Instead, carbon
space! dioxide into edible calories. They were, quite literally, dioxide and electricity generated using renewable en-
growing food out of thin air.
ergy are used. Consequently, it does not require large
To realize the commercial potential of this revolu- amounts of land. The modest amounts of water they
tionary technology, Solar Foods was founded in 2017. “Our use can be treated thoroughly before releasing back
company decision, business plan, and future products are into the environment.
part of the circle of life. From research through vision and Research undertaken by the Helsinki Institute of
mission to the products we develop, we are driven by the Sustainability Science has found that the greenhouse gas
idea of being responsible. Everything we do contributes emission levels for producing one kilogram of Solein are
to the Sustainable Development Goals, as set in the UN over 100 times less than for protein derived from beef.
Agenda 2030. Instead of unfounded optimism in the fu-
ture, we believe in possibilism,” says Dr. Pasi Vainikka, A Gelato with Ingredients Pulled Out of
Co-founder and CEO, Solar Foods. Thin Air

Introducing Solein, Not Just Another Lab- Solein received its first novel food regulatory ap-
Made Ingredient proval in September 2022 from the Singapore Food
Agency while approvals in the EU, UK, and USA are in
Solein is an innovative completely natural microbial process currently. To mark the event and introduce
protein-rich powder made by Solar Foods made neither Solein to the people, Solar Foods in partnership with
by plants nor animals, instead originating from a natural, Fico, a Singapore-based restaurant developed the world’s
non-modified, single-cell organism. first Solein Chocolate Gelato, a dessert that replaces
The term Solein is an amalgamation of two words – dairy with Solein in its ingredient mix. This marks a
Solar for the company and Protein for the product, giving significant event of global importance since this is the
Sol + ein. According to the company, it is the first-ever “first time in history that food produced with no con-
novel food disconnected from the limits of traditional nection to photosynthesis and agriculture has been made
agriculture and has the potential to transform sustainabil- available to the general public”.
ity, availability, and transparency of what we eat as well Opened in May 2023 by Chef Partner Mirko Febbrile
as where and how our food is produced. and The Lo & Behold Group, Fico is a casual Italian seaside
Solein contains about 65–70% protein, 5 -8% fat, pri- destination that proudly advocates living better, not fast-
marily unsaturated fats, 10–15% dietary fiber, and 3 -5% er. Its culinary focus is centered around simple Italian
mineral nutrients, with some iron and B vitamins. Besides cooking inspired by the spirit of Cucina Povera, a philos-
this, it contains all the nine essential amino acids our bodies ophy where the use of humble ingredients is not a limita-
need. No other food product or ingredient in the world can tion, but the starting point of creativity.
claim such a nutritionally-dense composition. A Finnish company coming together with a Singa-
Solein is produced using a bioprocess that involves porean restaurant, both driven by the passion to create a
feeding specific microbes with carbon dioxide, hydrogen, better, more sustainable planet for the future truly sym-
& oxygen and a small amount of nutrients. The process is bolizes that the future is possibilism.

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