May 27, 2025 –Finnish biotech giant Volare announced successful closure of a €26M funding round to build Volare 01 in Pori, Finland. The new plant, Volare 01, will serve as the flagship site for scaling the company’s proprietary insect protein technology.
Volare claims that Volare 01 will become the most efficient protein production plant worldwide. This significant milestone supports Europe’s move toward greater protein self-sufficiency and promotes a more sustainable, circular food system.
The funding round combines equity, senior loans, mezzanine, and public funding. It is backed by Firstminute Capital, Maki.vc, and Springvest. Support also comes from Norion Bank, Finnvera, The Finnish Climate Fund, Business Finland, and South Ostrobothnia ELY Centre.
According to the European Commission, EU currently produces only 34% of the protein concentrates it consumes, leaving it heavily dependent on imports. This dependency makes the food system vulnerable to supply chain disruptions as well as price fluctuations.
To address this, companies like Volare are focusing on increasing their production of alternative proteins. They are establishing new manufacturing plants across European nations to meet growing demand for sustainable and locally sourced protein options.
Volare’s scalable local production converts food industry byproducts into sustainable insect-based protein. This approach reduces waste as well as supports regional agriculture and strengthens the resilience and self-sufficiency of Europe’s food system.
Nature’s most efficient bioreactor, Black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens), is at the heart of Volare’s breakthrough approach. These insects have the tendency to naturally convert food industry waste into high-quality resources.
Volare’s proprietary process is claimed to be 30% more energy-efficient than traditional methods. It employs a zero-waste, fossil-free technique that eliminates the need for water. This technology allows the company to produce insect protein with up to eight times fewer CO₂ emissions than soy.
Views and Statements
Volare is leading from the forefront in strengthening Europe’s food resilience. In the words of Tuure Parviainen, Volare’s CSO & co-founder, “Volare was founded to produce protein more efficiently and sustainably. Now, we're scaling up to full industrial production.”
Parviainen further added, “Our new facility will use our zero-waste, fossil-free process to turn food byproducts into high-quality protein, boosting Europe’s food resilience.”
Jarna Hyvönen, CEO of Volare, said their ultra-efficient protein production uses low-value raw materials and nature’s bioreactor, cutting emissions 4–8 times below soy. This investment helps Volare grow its operations and boosts its position as a leader in the worldwide shift to protein alternatives.
Impact and Future Outlook
Volare’s successful €26M funding round marks a pivotal step in revolutionizing sustainable food production by scaling insect protein technology at its new flagship plant, Volare 01, in Finland. This initiative will bolster Europe’s protein self-sufficiency as well as address critical challenges like environmental sustainability.
Volare converts food industry byproducts into high-quality insect-based protein. This process is circular, zero-waste, and fossil-free. By doing so, Volare sets a new standard for eco-efficient protein production. Their method significantly reduces emissions compared to traditional protein sources like soy.
Looking ahead, Volare’s innovation is expected to fuel shift toward alternative proteins. It will also encourage other alternative protein manufacturers to establish new facilities.
Companies are expected to use advanced technologies to scale sustainably. Such innovations will also help them meet growing global demand for nutritious, environmentally friendly food options.
Sources:
Multimedia Company: FoodBev Media Ltd
Company: Volare