Novel Protein Enters Crowded Market Ambrosia Collective launched Planta Powered by Solein on June 9, marking the first U.S. food product formulated with Solein, an air-based protein developed by Finnish startup Solar Foods. The protein powder targets consumers balancing performance nutrition with concerns over heavy metals, ingredient sourcing, and environmental impact in traditional protein categories.
How Solein Is Made Solein is produced through fermentation that combines carbon dioxide, hydrogen, renewable electricity, and a naturally occurring microorganism—a process Solar Foods calls "made from thin air." Because production occurs in closed bioreactors without soil, pesticides, or farmland, the ingredient bypasses contamination pathways common in conventional agriculture-based proteins. The ingredient is decoupled from weather, drought, and arable land constraints, positioning it as a potential long-term solution to protein supply resilience, according to Solar Foods CEO Rami Jokela: "Solar Foods was founded to reimagine how food can be produced in a more sustainable and resilient way. Planta Powered by Solein marks an exciting milestone as the first U.S. consumer product featuring our groundbreaking new protein ingredient Solein."
Nutritional Profile Planta Powered by Solein delivers 20 grams of protein per serving and achieves a Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of 1.0—the highest possible rating, typically associated with whey, egg whites, and milk. The formula contains all essential amino acids, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and naturally occurring B12 and iron. It is vegan-friendly. Sean Torbati, co-founder of Ambrosia Collective, positioned the product as a third option in a category historically split between whey and plant-based proteins: "For decades, Americans have had to choose between whey protein and traditional plant-based proteins, each with their own compromises and considerations. Planta Powered by Solein introduces a new option aligned with wellness goals and values. By combining air-based Solein with Planta's premium plant ingredients, we've created a protein that delivers the performance consumers expect while addressing concerns around heavy metals, sustainability, digestibility, and supply constraints. We believe this is the future of protein."
Availability The powder is available now on Ambrosia's website and is coming this month to Amazon via Prime.
Ambrosia has a nationwide retail footprint for its Planta line, with an exclusive Salted Caramel Cold Brew flavor launching to select partners in Q3 2026.
Why It Matters
The entry of Solein into the U.S. market reflects growing operator and consumer scrutiny of protein sourcing—from heavy metal detection in plant-based powders to whey supply constraints and sustainability concerns. If Solein scales beyond early-adopter positioning, fermentation-based proteins could reshape category economics and supplier relationships across foodservice and retail.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
