Solar Foods taps health, performance market with new Solein® LOI

FINLAND – Solar Foods, a pioneering food-tech company, has signed a Letter of Intent with a leading international brand in Health & Performance nutrition, aiming to commercialize 500–1,650 tonnes of Solein® annually during the period 2026–2030. 

The Letter of Intent outlines the companies’ initial plan to collaborate on Health & Performance products and sets forth the key terms for future binding agreements.

Solein represents a high-potential, next-generation ingredient, particularly in the Health & Performance category, offering the food industry a compelling and innovative protein solution. 

It is a microbial protein alternative to soy, eggs, milk, whey, and meat, produced by cultivating an edible single-cell microbe in a fermentation process that utilises carbon dioxide from the air and renewable electricity. 

Solein is not a genetically modified organism (GMO) or artificial, and is considered a highly sustainable protein source due to its minimal land and water requirements.  

In addition to protein, Solein provides a source of iron and Vitamin B12, and it’s also high in fibre. It has a balanced amino acid profile, giving 43% Essential amino acids (EAA) and 20% Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). 

If the partnership leads to a binding deal, the higher volume commitment of 1,650 tonnes per year would represent about 13% of the total capacity of Factory 02, which is still in its pre-engineering stage.

Earlier this year, Solar Foods signed two Memorandum of Understandings with two customers for commercialisation plan of 6,000 tonnes of Solein per year. 

Should these collaborations, together with this LOI, lead to a binding agreement, the total volume commitment would correspond to approximately 50-60% of the full production capacity of Factory 02.

“These agreements strongly validate Solein’s commercial potential, and should the collaborations lead to binding agreements, they would correspond already to a major share of the production capacity of Factory 02. Customers’ interest towards Solein also plays an important role in preparing for the final investment decision for Factory 02”, Rami Jokela, CEO of Solar Foods, said.

Factory 02 is planned to be constructed in three phases, ensuring an efficient cost structure and optimised unit economics. 

Aimed to be fully operational in 2030, it has an annual planned capacity of 12,800 tons, which is nearly a hundred times the design capacity of the already operational Factory 01. 

Solar Foods aims to have Phase 1 operational in 2028, with subsequent phases in 2029 and 2030. The final investment decision for Factory 02 is planned to be made in 2026.

Recognizing Solein’s strategic value, this collaboration intends to advance product development and explore integration into end-customer offerings, e.g., ready-to-mix protein shakes and protein bars.

“Our goal is to develop products that meet consumer demands for nutrition, taste, and functionality – while delivering a distinct advantage in sustainability and future supply security”, Jokela added.

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