Rami Jokela is ready to lead Solein’s growth journey

On 1 April, Rami Jokela became the new CEO of Solar Foods, tasked with leading business growth and the company’s next strategic phase: the global commercialisation of Solein®. We sat down with the man of the hour to gauge his thoughts on where the company is now – and how he sees the journey ahead. 

Jokela steps into the lead at a major moment in Solar Foods’ journey. Since the start of its first commercial-scale production facility Factory 01 in April 2024, Solar Foods has taken several leaps in introducing Solein to the world and paving the novel ingredient’s path to market.  

Among other things, the company obtained the self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status in the United States, listed its shares on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland marketplace, signed two Memorandums of Understanding on the annual commercialisation of 6,000 tonnes of Solein as well as a supply agreement to the US. The company’s next productions facility, Factory 02, is now in its pre-engineering phase. Recently, Solar Foods announced a moonshot investment plan for building not just Factory 02 but two more Solein factories to the same location.  

The company has a strong momentum, Jokela recognises.  

“Solar Foods is an unique company with its technology, process knowhow and offering. The company has made wise strategic choices to go forward and for its growth. Those things impressed me already early on in my discussions with the company. What’s more, there’s a strong sense of a shared vision and drive in the team: everyone’s committed to the same goals.” 

Laying the groundwork toward 2030 

Since its start in 2017, Solar Foods has been led by co-founder Pasi Vainikka. Over the company’s first seven years, the Solar Foods team has made huge strides, proving Solein’s versatility in food products and that the production technology scales. The achievements are significant, but the scientific step that made them possible is a historic one: discovering and growing an entirely new harvest to humanity. 

Vainikka has joined the board of directors while handing the baton of CEO to Jokela. The new CEO is joining the team to support the company’s shift from a food tech innovator to a commercial food industry operator. 

Jokela takes the reins with exactly this goal clear in mind. He has a strong background and expertise in building growth in international business and the technology sector. Jokela identifies several megatrends that are in Solar Foods’ favor in the coming years when seeking growth and transition to profitability in 2030. 

“Solein’s carbon footprint and resource-effective process make it the leader of the  sustainability race. Another megatrend which I expect to drive the business is the rising interest in health and wellness: people live longer and are more aware of their health than before, and focus on wellness has increased in general, especially among the younger generations. This increases the demand for healthy, quality nutrition – and Solein fits into that naturally, providing a source of protein and nutrition without cholesterol or saturated fats. The third megatrend is the growing interest in food safety: people want to know where the food comes from, how it’s grown and what it consists of. Solein delivers on that.” 

Solar Foods has made the Health & Performance Nutrition segment its first focus on the United States market. The company expects a novel food regulatory approval from the European Union in 2026. With the first steps taken in the US and European markets looming ahead, now is the time to set a strong foundation that growth can be built on in the next few years, Jokela believes. 

“Whey and other similar alternatives are growing strong, but there’s not enough whey protein to meet the current demand. Solein can surpass whey, adding the upside of sustainability and price and quality stability. Solein has unique and exceptional nutritional values, as it combines the best qualities of animal- and plant-based proteins. The demand is there, and now’s the moment to build production to answer that demand.”   

Recently, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two international customers for a commercialisation plan of altogether 6,000 tonnes of Solein per year. Should the collaboration lead to a binding agreement, the total volume commitment of 6,000 tonnes would correspond to approximately 50% of the full production capacity of Factory 02. Therefore, the company has started exploring the option of constructing not only one but three facilities, Factories 02, 03 and 04, at the same location. The investment decision is expected to be made during 2026. If this plan is realised, the Solein produced at these factories would have significant environmental and economic impact.   

Food revolution remains the goal

Solar Foods has been taking steps in Solein’s commercialisation. The company recently introduced its first product concept with Solein® Protein Bites to showcase Solein’s capabilities in real-world consumer products. Additionally, customers have introduced their first Solein-powered products with more to come.  

Solar Foods’ main goal is the same it was on day one: revolutionising the global food system and bringing a new harvest to humankind. Jokela shares this ambition. 

“The transformation towards more sustainable food is driven by multiple megatrends. Solar Foods has a strong momentum, and I see that we can lead the way and be the frontrunner in the food revolution.”