Using Atmospheric CO2 to Produce Protein for Food
The previous blog post reported success in removing CO2 from the atmosphere as a step toward reducing global warming. Scientists and engineers have developed a process called Direct Air Capture and are using the captured gas in a variety of applications, including products for human consumption.
What may become captured CO2’s most significant benefit is its potential as a source of food. Based upon a concept developed by NASA, an Icelandic company named Solar Foods has created a product called Solein. Solar Foods has secured two million euros in funding, and has partnered with the European Space Agency to supply food for astronauts for a future mission to Mars. Solar Foods’ pilot plant near Helsinki will work on testing with the European Food Authority, and will apply for a food license from the European Union later in 2019.
The process uses solar energy to make hydrogen from water, then combines hydrogen with CO2 and minerals and feeds the combination to microbes, producing protein. The fermentation process is similar to that used in making beer. The protein is dried to a powder that looks and tastes like wheat flour, with 50% protein content, 20-25% carbs and 5-10% fat. It can be used to make food such as yogurt, bread or pasta, or as a protein source for plant-based meat alternatives.
Whereas traditional protein production, primarily from animals, requires large quantities of land and water, Solein is resource efficient and can be produced anywhere, regardless of climate conditions. Comparisons are remarkable. To produce one kilogram requires 10 liters of water. A similar amount of protein from soy requires 2,500 liters, and from beef, 15,500 liters. In terms of yield per acre of land, Solein is ten times more efficient than soy, and over 100 times more efficient than beef.
In addition to testing and permits scheduled for 2019, a factory design capable of producing a thousand tons per year is to be completed by year end. A commercial launch globally and the first factory capable of producing 50 million meals per year, are planned by the end of 2021. By 2023 production capacity is planned to reach two billion meals a year.