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Finnish food-tech Solar Foods has received a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), stating that its novel ‘air protein’ ingredient Solein is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

The company is celebrating what it describes as a groundbreaking milestone on its route to commercialisation in the European Union (EU), becoming the world’s first company to receive a positive EFSA opinion for a novel food ingredient produced through gas fermentation.

It follows a scientific risk assessment for Solein from EFSA, with the regulator concluding Solein is safe for use as a protein ingredient in selected food categories.

The company has already launched products containing Solein in other markets where it has received approval, including ice cream and dessert products in Singapore, in collaboration with Ajinomoto, and a protein powder in the US, in collaboration with the Planta nutrition brand.

Solein is developed through the fermentation of a microbe found in Finnish nature, using carbon dioxide and electricity. The resulting novel ingredient has been marketed by the brand as ‘protein from thin air,’ described as being uniquely versatile across numerous food applications and offering a nutritionally rich profile that can bring a source of iron, fibre and B vitamins alongside protein.

Solar Foods has also highlighted the ingredient’s ability to provide predictable supply and consistent quality, as its fermentation production method allows it to be developed independently of agricultural land, weather and climate conditions. This comes at a time when traditional protein supply chains, such as for whey and other dairy proteins, have been subject to supply shortages and price volatility.

The positive scientific opinion moves the company’s novel food application to the final stage of the EU approval process. The European Commission will draft an implementing act and present it to the Committee, consisting of EU member state representatives, for voting.

Solar Foods said it expects the remaining EU authorisation process to take around 7-9 months, based on recent novel food approval timelines.

The company highlighted the significant commercial opportunity presented by Europe alongside the US, with the total addressable market for Solein in the EU approximately €7 billion and in the US, €11 billion by 2030.

“Europe is one of the world’s largest and most attractive protein markets, and a strategically important market for Solein,” said Rami Jokela, CEO of Solar Foods.

“We are already in discussions with major international food companies, and the positive EFSA opinion enables us to advance these discussions towards commercial agreements”.

Through enabling Solar Foods to advance European offtake negotiations, the positive opinion will also enable the company to advance financing and preparations for the final investment decision for its Factory 02 manufacturing site.

“After years of proving the technology, product and production process, our focus is increasingly on commercial execution and scaling the business,” Jokela added.