Protein from processed air

Protein from processed air, it sounds too good to be true. Yet the Finnish engineer Pasi Vainikka indicates that this is possible. Together with five like-minded technicians he founded Solar Foods. The protein is made from air captured and processed in water. Solar Foods calls this protein, Solein, 'the most sustainable food in the world'. In addition to the fact that no agricultural land is needed, the protein is made from CO2, which is the cause of climate change.

The process

The processing of the protein is comparable to the natural process of brewing beer. Living microbes are introduced into a liquid and fed with carbon dioxide, which is decomposed by the electrolysis of water. These microbes produce proteins, which are dried to make a kind of milk powder. According to Solar Foods, this powder contains all the essential amino acids, 5-10% fat, 20-25% carbohydrates and vitamin B.

The powder could be mixed in an enormous amount of products, among other things by means of 3D printing. It is claimed that Solein is one hundred times more sustainable than vegetable meat alternatives. There is no need for land or water. For the production of 1 kilo of powder one would only need ten liters of water. A kilo of soy, for example, costs 2500 litres. It is not yet clear how much energy is needed to be able to use the CO2. The intention is that Solein will be available on the market from 2021. According to the company, the production is fully scalable and the powder would be available in endless quantities.