Finnish startup Solar Foods has announced Solein, a food made from air, water and electricity.


The aim is to produce food that places as little burden on the environment as possible. According to Solar Foods, the manufacturing process of "Solein" is similar to that of yeast and lactic acid bacteria.


A lot of water is needed to produce foods that contain protein. According to Solar Foods, it takes 15,500 liters of water to produce a kilo of beef. Even soybeans, which are said to be efficient, require 2,500 liters. However, only 10 liters of water is needed to produce 1 kg of "Solein". It requires only 1/250 of soybeans and can reduce the environmental burden.


Manufacture requires electricity, which also utilizes renewable energy. We aim to reduce the environmental burden. In addition, "Solein" has the advantage that the production volume is not affected by the weather, the weather conditions of the land, and the soil quality.

The taste of "Solein" made in this way seems to be very similar to "flour". However, its composition is quite different from wheat flour, with 50% protein, 5-10% fat and 20-25% carbohydrate.


Solar Foods aims to launch "Solein" in the second half of 2021. By the end of 2023, it is aiming to produce 2 billion meals a year. Perhaps we are approaching an era of protein intake from air, water, and electricity rather than from beef and soybeans.