Solar Foods has announced the latest partnership for its gas-fermented Solein protein, which will form the base of Pothos protein powders to be launched in early 2026.
Six months after introducing a prototype protein powder made from thin air, Solar Foods has notched its first commercial deal for the format.
The Finnish company has teamed up with US nutritional supplement and lifestyle company Pothos, which will integrate the former’s Solein ingredient into a line of ready-to-mix vegan protein powders under its renewed PRVL brand.
The limited-edition range is set to be rolled out in the US early next year. The announcement comes a week after Solar Foods collaborated with Fermenta to tease a line of gluten-free Solein protein bars, also slated for launch in Q1 2026.
Solar Foods hails ‘big milestone’
Solein is produced by feeding microbes on gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen, eschewing the need for sugar and, subsequently, farmland, water for irrigation, and fertilisers and pesticides. The microbes are grown in a liquid form, and later dried into a flavourless powder that has 78% protein, 6% fat, 10% dietary fibre, and a macronutrient profile akin to dried soy or algae.
The deep-yellow powder has all nine essential amino acids, zero cholesterol or saturated fat, and is packed with iron and vitamin B12. Plus, it has a mild flavour, making it an ideal base for a variety of products.
Solar Foods calls Solein the “most sustainable protein” on Earth. The main raw materials for production are carbon dioxide and renewable energy, resulting in emissions equal to just 1% of those generated by conventional meat, and 20% of plant proteins.
“Solein offers exceptional nutritional values, great taste and minimal environmental impact, setting a new standard for nutritional protein, and we can’t wait to see products powered by Solein available for consumers,” said Troels Nørgaard, chief commercial and product officer at Solar Foods.
“Solein fits perfectly into clean-label products and Pothos’ minimalist approach featuring only essential, high-quality ingredients,” he added.
“Pothos shares our excitement about Solein, and they have been able to develop a product to market really fast. It is a big milestone for us to enter this market segment and the ready-to-mix product category in the US.”
Pothos taps into protein-hungry Americans with Solein
Pothos, based in Texas, makes clean-label supplements “with a minimalist approach”. The protein powders it’s launching with Solein are non-dairy, gluten-free, and contain no soy.
“PRVL is pioneering a new generation of protein, one that proves innovation doesn’t need excess. Every element is intentional; every choice backed by science, designed to meet the growing demand for cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable nutrition,” said Thomas Miller, VP of operations at Pothos.
“We are very excited to work with Solein, which perfectly fits our philosophy of producing minimalist products free from unnecessary additives, offering a complete amino acid profile and vegan-friendly, non-GMO characteristics.”
Solar Foods has already commercialised Solein in a bunch of products in Singapore, including mooncakes, ice cream sandwiches, chocolate snack bars, and beanless lattes. This year, it notified the US FDA of its self-affirmed GRAS status, singling out the health and performance nutrition sector as its initial target market.
It comes as 70% of Americans try to consume protein this year, and one in three increased their intake, spawning protein-spiked coffee syrups, cup noodles, Doritos, and water.
The publicly-listed company has raised around €83M in equity and debt funding, and signed several supply and product development agreements, including with US-based GLP-1 wellness company Superb Food and Italian food firm KelpEat. In fact, three other commercialisation deals could account for half of the production capacity of its upcoming large-scale facility, dubbed Factory 02.
This facility, expected to begin operations in 2028, will be able to churn out 12,800 tonnes of Solein annually at €4.30-5.20 per kg. Its current demo plant, Factory 01, has a capacity of 160 tonnes of Solein per year, which is set to increase to 230 tonnes by 2026.
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