‘Farmers of the future’ in Finland produce sustainable protein out of air and electricity

Livestock farming is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, the primary cause of rising global temperatures. Cellular agriculture – food or nutrients produced from cell cultures – is increasingly seen as a green alternative to animal agriculture.

Meat, eggs and milk produced in laboratories have been making headlines lately. Scientists have been using animal cell cultures for them. But the process is being criticised by some as unnatural, highly processed, energy consuming and expensive.

But Solar Foods’ recently opened factory outside Helsinki in Finland seems to have found an innovative solution. ‘Farmers of the future’ in the factory are making a protein using air and electricity, reported the South China Morning Post.

Solar Foods’ sustainable protein cuts emissions

By feeding a microbe carbon dioxide, hydrogen and some minerals, and running the process through electricity from clean sources, the company has managed to create a protein-rich powder, having a flavour described as “nutty” and “creamy”.

The food protein can be used as a milk and egg substitute. Producing 1 kilogram of the product, dubbed ‘solein’, emits 130 times less greenhouse gases than the same amount of protein from beef production in the EU, according to a 2021 scientific study.

“The fermenter produces the same amount of protein per day as 300 milking cows or 50,000 laying hens,” said chief executive Pasi Vainikka. Today, the main purpose is to “prove that the technology scales”, so it can attract investments pending European regulatory approval.

Transforming food production and consumption

The protein has already been cleared for sale in Singapore. Some restaurants in the country have used it to prepare ice cream. But the product is still waiting for classification as a food product in the EU and the US, reported SCMP.

Transforming food production and consumption is at the heart of combating climate change and preventing biodiversity loss. Current projections suggest the consumption of meat is expected to rise in coming years, leading to an exacerbated climate emergency.

Climate change has turned into potentially the greatest threat to all living beings on Earth. It has been elevating temperatures across the globe and triggering natural disasters such as storms, floods and landslides of much higher intensities.