What if the carbon dioxide coming out of a factory could go straight into growing protein? That is the logic behind Arborea's BioSolar Leaf technology, and it is attracting serious interest from some of the world's largest food companies.
Dominic Shales speaks with Dr Kaly Chatakondu, Global Commercial Director at Arborea, about the London-based startup that has spent a decade industrialising photosynthesis to cultivate microalgae at commercial scale. Kaly brings more than 30 years of senior food industry experience and a chemistry doctorate from the University of Oxford.
He explains how the BioSolar Leaf system works, why its economics and contamination profile solve problems that have held back the microalgae sector for decades, and how Arborea is building its first full commercial factory in Portugal while quietly assembling a portfolio of offtake agreements with major multinationals.
The conversation covers the AB InBev collaboration in Mexico, the regulatory landscape for novel food ingredients, and what a global rollout via joint ventures and technology licensing could look like.
Takeaways
Sound Bites
00:00 \"What if protein could be grown from CO2?\"
03:27 \"It's photosynthesis on steroids.\"
09:49 \"Microalgae are superfoods.\"
15:26 \"This is completely unique technology.\"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Climate Solutions and Protein Production
01:09 Transitioning to Arborea and BioSolar Leaf Technology
03:56 Understanding BioSolar Leaf: The Process of Industrial Photosynthesis
05:30 Environmental Benefits and Carbon Negative Process
06:41 Product Focus: Spirulina and Its Versatility
08:13 Collaborations with Major Food Companies
10:03 Industrial Partnerships and Future Plans
12:07 Navigating Food Regulations in Europe
14:21 The Importance of Regulation in Food Safety
15:04 Arborea's Unique Approach to Microalgae Production
17:13 Global Expansion Plans and Market Strategies
19:06 Funding and Investment Strategies
20:51 Conclusion and Future Outlook
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