Last week, in Finland Solar Foods Solain, its microbial protein made out of thin air, debuted at a testing event in Singapore. Following this historic moment in food history, Solar Foods has announced a strategic alliance with Japanese food and biotechnology corporation Ajinomoto to develop products using revolutionary solar and introduce them to the global market.
The partnership — Solar Foods’ first collaboration with a major global food brand — will make Soleine a reality. In the coming years, a new range of sustainable products will be launched in Singapore for the first time. In Q4 2024, the companies will conduct a market feasibility study in Singapore for product development.
Solar Foods is now ready to commercialize Solein. It received regulatory approval from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) last October, and the company will open its first commercial-scale production facility in Finland in 2024.
Among other goals, the companies will cooperate in obtaining marketing licenses in countries and territories other than Singapore.
A perfect match
Pasi Vainikka, CEO and co-founder of Solar Foods, commented: “This partnership with Ajinomoto is a perfect match with our strategy. We feel confident that we can bring value to Ajinomoto and work together with them to renew existing food categories, reduce the environmental impact of food production, and support health and personal effectiveness.”
Founded in 2017, Solar Foods produces its microbial protein, Solein, using small amounts of nutrients instead of CO2, hydrogen, oxygen and sugar. It has been described as the world’s most sustainable protein because its bioprocess is free from “agricultural burdens” and weather events, allowing its production anywhere. place.
Based in 36 countries and regions worldwide, with products available in more than 130 countries and regions as of 2022, Ajinomoto has annual sales of 1.3591 trillion yen (US$10.0 billion). Japanese team as part of its green strategy Encourages the co-creation of new food ingredients and food systems with proteins with low environmental impact. i amSolar Foods needs to reach ts to bring solar to consumers and start realizing a new food system.
Co-constructing food systems
“In the green food business, Ajinomoto Co. aims to develop new sustainable, tasty and healthy food ingredients and co-create food systems using its strengths in fermentation technology, cell biotechnology, “delicious technology” and locally adapted marketing. Climate Change and Population The ability to provide food ingredients to consumers with less environmental impact in the face of food shortages due to growth,” Ajinomoto said in the announcement.