Japan-based food manufacturer Ajinomoto Group is set to launch a new brand in partnership with carbon-neutral protein maker Solar Foods.
The new products – Traditional Flowering Mooncakes and Ice Cream Sandwiches – will be unveiled in Singapore under Ajinomoto’s new brand Atlr.72.
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The NPD is the result of Finland’s Solar Foods and Ajinomoto’s strategic product development partnership, which the businesses entered last year to pilot Solein-linked products in Singapore.
Solein, Solar Foods’ flagship development, is an “all-purpose protein grown with air”, according to a statement.
The bioprocess takes a single microbe and grows it by fermenting it using air and electricity. Solein is a “nutritionally rich and versatile ingredient that can replace protein virtually in any food”. It can also be used as a “fortifier to complement the nutritional profile of various foods”, as it is a source of iron, fibre and B vitamins.
In the Atlr.72 Flowering Mooncakes and Ice Cream Sandwiches, Solein is substituting dairy, according to Solar Foods. The products will be available for a limited time in Ajinomoto’s pop-up stores in two commercial facilities, Takashimaya Singapore as of 12 August and One Holland Village as of 30 August.
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By GlobalDataSolar Foods CEO and co-founder Pasi Vainikka said: “Ajinomoto’s launch marks an important milestone on our journey to renew existing food categories and reduce the environmental impact of food production. It’s a major step for the commercial use of Solein as our new factory is now ramping up its production, paving the way for the introduction of Solein to people’s plates.”
Ajinomoto said that the “green food business” is one of its major growth areas.
In April, Solar Foods’ Factory 01 started its operations, where commercial-scale production of Solein takes place “for the needs of the food industry, food brands and foodservice companies”.
Vainikka added: “With the new brand, Ajinomoto proposes a new food lifestyle that fosters a respect for nature in today’s consumers. Solar Foods is proud to be supporting this ambition, and we share the vision for what the future of food will be.”
The Japanese conglomerate said that it will look to expand the new brand to more everyday foods and “the business model created in Singapore will be deployed in other countries and regions”.
