Solar Impulse Efficient Solution
POWER TO PROTEIN has received the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label, an award for clean and profitable solutions.
POWER TO PROTEIN, a sustainable production of valuable proteins for the human food industry, developed by AVECOM was attributed the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label following an assessment performed by external independent experts and based on verified standards. It is thereby joining the #1000solutions challenge, an initiative by the Solar Impulse Foundation to select solutions that meet high standards in profitability and sustainability and present them to decision-makers to fast-track their implementation.
Because of the growing population and more widespread inclusion of meat in the daily diet, the need for protein is rising. Protein shortages will be aggravated by a drop in land and water availability. In addition, the use of soy and fishmeal and the production of animal protein have a negative environmental impact, because it is strongly related with intensive deforestation, eutrophication and overfishing. Furthermore, more than 80% of the nitrogen used is lost to the environment. The industry, environmentalists and more and more conscious end-users ask for new, sustainable and affordable alternative proteins that do not compete with the human food chain and that improve animal welfare. POWER TO PROTEIN is Single Cell Protein derived from green energy, a disruptive technology for producing valuable proteins for the eco-oriented human food industry. We make use of single cell micro-organisms or bacteria that naturally consume hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, both derived from green electricity by means of electrolysis, and a 3th gas – the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide – to produce a biomass rich in protein. Further drying of the biomass will produce a powder that can be further applied as food ingredient. The POWER TO PROTEIN process uses its additional resources like nitrogen without any loss to the environment, and is a net consumer, not an emitter, of carbon dioxide. The process is the most sustainable in terms of energy-, material- and land-use. Our fermentation is free of pesticides, hormones or antibiotics. But we also obtain a bigger economic benefit because of the independency of import. Our product is 100% gmo free, contains more than 70% of protein but also vitamin B12. The process line is modular and can easily be integrated in local food supply systems.
To receive the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label, POWER TO PROTEIN was thoroughly assessed by a pool of independent experts according to 5 criteria covering the three main topics of Feasibility, Environmental and Profitability. All labelled solutions are part of the #1000solutions portfolio that will be presented to decision-makers in business and government by Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. The aim of this initiative is to encourage the adoption of more ambitious environmental targets and fast-track the implementation of these solutions on a large scale.
About the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label
One of the first labels for positive impact businesses bringing together protection of the environment and financial viability, the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label is attributed following an assessment performed by external independent experts. In collaboration with renowned institutions, solutions applying for the label must go through a neutral methodology based on verified standards. This label serves as an award for clean and profitable solutions.
About the Solar Impulse Foundation
The Solar Impulse Foundation is dedicated to accelerating the implementation of clean and profitable solutions. Moreover, the Foundation is helping decision-makers in businesses and governments to achieve their environmental targets and adopt more ambitious energy policies, which are necessary to pull these solutions to market. A way to carry the success of the first solar-powered flight around the world further.
About Avecom
Avecom is a Belgian-based expert in Microbial Resource Management. The company was founded 26 years ago by emeritus professor Willy Verstraete as a spin-out of the University of Ghent. Nowadays, we are an independent SME with an experienced team of 10 engineers. Avecom has its own fully equipped labs and multiple pilot facilities to scale up our innovations from the lab to commercial size projects. We hold several patents and we are an experienced partner, that has successfully put on the market several products and innovative, sustainable, processes.