Startup Backed by Bill Gates Develops Butter with a Natural Taste Using Air
Bill Gates-Backed Startup Creates Environmentally-Friendly Dairy-Free Butter from Air
Synthetically-Created Butter
Bill Gates-backed startup, Savor, is at the forefront of dairy-free butter innovation, aiming to reduce environmental impact and combat climate change. The California-based company has developed a unique method to produce butter using air through a thermochemical process.
Savor claims its dairy-free butter has a carbon footprint of less than 0.8 grams CO2 equivalent per kilogram, significantly lower than traditional unsalted butter, which has a standard footprint of 16.9 kg CO2 equivalent per kilogram.
Kathleen Alexander, CEO of Savor, shared, “We are currently in the pre-commercial phase and navigating regulatory approvals. We do not anticipate starting sales until at least 2025. We’ve conducted informal taste tests with small groups and plan to hold more formal panels as we move towards commercialization.”
Bill Gates has endorsed Savor’s lab-made fats, praising their taste and minimal environmental impact. In a blog post, Gates emphasized, “Switching to lab-made fats and oils might seem unusual, but their potential to significantly lower our carbon footprint is substantial. This process uses no farmland, releases no greenhouse gases, and consumes less water than traditional agriculture. Importantly, it tastes just like the real thing.”
About Savor:
Founded in 2022 by Henrik Bennetsen, Ian Salmon McKay, and Kathleen Alexander, Savor specializes in producing animal-free fats, including butter, for various dairy and meat products. Their innovations promise full flavor with reduced environmental impact.
Social Media Reaction:
The concept has sparked varied reactions online.
One user commented, “It’s ironic that Gates promotes such initiatives while flying his private jet.”
Another user wrote, “Butter is fine as it is. Natural butter is healthier than margarine or other synthetic alternatives.”
A third user questioned, “Should we trust a billionaire who has funded controversial projects and invested in lab-grown meat? It raises concerns about his true intentions.”