EU Green Hydrogen Scheme Embraces High-Tech Solar Foods

Finnish startup Solar Foods has joined the European Union’s ambitious BalticSeaH2 project, aiming to scale up production of its innovative protein supplement, Solein. Solein is created through a gas fermentation process that utilises a natural microorganism fed by carbon dioxide, green hydrogen, and oxygen, producing a protein-rich food source with a neutral taste. This method represents a novel application of green hydrogen, which is generated via renewable energy-powered electrolysis, distinguishing it from traditional hydrogen production reliant on fossil fuels. Solar Foods has moved beyond small-scale laboratory production near Helsinki, where Solein was initially marketed in niche products such as snack bars and gelato in Singapore. In April 2024, the company launched Factory 01 in Vanta, with an annual production target of 160 tonnes, equating to the protein output of a 300-cow dairy farm but with a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Plans are already underway for Factory 02, which aims to increase production to 6,400 tonnes per year, leveraging partnerships within the BalticSeaH2 consortium to secure green hydrogen supplies and focus on optimising gas fermentation technology. BalticSeaH2, launched in 2023, is a five-year cross-border initiative between Finland and Estonia designed to establish a large-scale hydrogen economy across the Baltic Sea region. The project involves 40 partners from nine countries and aims to produce up to 60,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually by the end of its term. It intends to integrate existing gas, electricity, and maritime infrastructure to support hydrogen production, distribution, and utilisation, with a particular emphasis on green hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier. While the BalticSeaH2 project overview does not explicitly highlight green hydrogen, several investment cases within the initiative focus on green hydrogen production, including a 20MW electrolyser facility in Harjavalta, Finland, capable of producing pressurised green hydrogen and synthetic methane for industrial and transport sectors. Solar Foods’ involvement exemplifies how green hydrogen can be applied beyond energy markets, extending into sustainable food production and offering a potential model for future bio-based industries. The collaboration between Solar Foods and BalticSeaH2 signals a significant step towards diversifying the applications of green hydrogen and scaling up sustainable protein production. If successful, this approach could contribute to reducing reliance on traditional agriculture and fossil fuel-based hydrogen, aligning with broader EU climate goals. The expansion of Solein production through Factory 02 and integration with regional hydrogen infrastructure will be key indicators of how green hydrogen technologies can evolve in the coming years.