#175: Protein "Out of Thin Air" with Solar Foods Solein - Juan Benítez-García & Sini Möttönen

On Episode #175 of the PricePlow Podcast, we sit down with Juan Benítez-García, Chief Sales Officer, and Sini Möttönen, Senior Application Scientist from Solar Foods at IFT First 2025 in Chicago. Broadcasting from the Sensapure Flavors booth, we explore the revolutionary Solein® protein that's literally made "out of thin air". This isn't your typical alternative protein story. Solar Foods has achieved what seemed impossible: creating complete, high-quality protein without farms, animals, or even plants. Using ancient Finnish microbes and renewable electricity, they've developed a process that bypasses photosynthesis entirely, producing protein that's 80% pure with a complete amino acid profile including 20% BCAAs. The result is a golden-colored powder with exceptional nutritional density, including naturally high levels of iron and vitamin B12. Our conversation reveals how biomass fermentation differs from precision fermentation, why Solein® tastes creamy with subtle nutty notes, and how this technology earned NASA recognition for feeding astronauts on Mars missions. From ice cream to protein bars, Juan and Sini demonstrate the versatility of this groundbreaking ingredient while explaining why it represents a fundamental shift toward sustainable, location-independent protein production. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/solar-foods-solein-175 Video: Solar Foods Brings Protein "Out of Thin Air" to IFT First 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ3hlgn0cZI Detailed Show Notes: The Science and Future of Air-Based Protein (0:00) – Introductions: Meeting the Solar Foods Team at IFT First (9:00) – The Science Behind Solein®: How Protein Gets Made from Air (13:00) – Biomass vs. Precision Fermentation: Understanding the Key Difference (18:00) – Nutritional Profile: Why 80% Protein Changes Everything (29:00) – Flavor Innovation: Partnering with Sensapure for Taste Excellence (34:00) – Versatile Applications: From Ready-to-Mix to Ice Cream (43:00) – Protein Bar Innovation: Soft Texture That Lasts (52:00) – Space Applications: NASA Recognition and Mars Mission Potential (1:00:00) – Global Flavors and Ice Cream Success (1:04:00) – Market Timeline and Consumer Availability (1:07:00) – Contact Information and Industry Connections Where to Follow Solar Foods and Connect with the Team Juan Benítez-García: LinkedIn Sini Möttönen: LinkedIn Solar Foods: Company Website LinkedIn Learn more about Solein® on PricePlow Sign up for PricePlow's Solar Foods news alerts Thank you to Juan and Sini for sharing the incredible story of Solein® and demonstrating how ancient Finnish microbes, renewable electricity, and innovative engineering are revolutionizing protein production. ... Read more on the PricePlow Blog