A Finnish company called Solar Foods has committed to begin the commercial production of protein made from just electricity and air as its main resources in 2021.
Using a production method based on a joint research study by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Lappeenranta University of Technology, a fine powder is created that consists of 50 percent protein and 25 percent carbohydrates.
“We are currently focusing on developing the technology: reactor concepts, technology, improving efficiency and controlling the process,” said Professor Jero Ahola of LUT. “Control of the process involves adjustment and modelling of renewable energy so as to enable the microbes to grow as well as possible.”
Along with protein made for human consumption, Solar Foods intends to develop a protein that will be used as animal feed.
“Compared to traditional agriculture, the production method currently under development does not require a location with the conditions for agriculture, such as the right temperature, humidity or a certain soil type,” said Ahola. “This allows us to use a completely automatized process to produce the animal feed required in a shipping container facility built on the farm. The method requires no pest-control substances. Only the required amount of fertilizer-like nutrients is used in the closed process. This allows us to avoid any environmental impacts, such as runoffs into water systems or the formation of powerful greenhouse gases.”
Solar Foods has also been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for their Business Incubation Program. Requested by ESA to submit a viable proposal for food production in space conditions, Solar Foods is currently developing a small and lightweight bioreactor tank that is able protein production in space.
“The method of Solar Foods for producing protein arose from a desire to produce food in a more environmentally-friendly way, without using land. The concept is not dependent on agriculture, weather or climate; instead, it makes possible efficient and low-cost food production with solar energy anywhere, whether in a desert or in space,” said CEO of Solar Foods, Pasi Vainikka.
To learn more about Solar Foods’ new food production method, click the link below.
