A healthier, sustainable sugar substitute made from agricultural waste
Team Leader
Javier Larragoiti
Using biotechnology to transform agricultural wastes into healthy products.
Solution Pitch
The Problem
Sugar is a problem for all people involved. Those who farm it are unfairly paid and, in Mexico, often live in extreme poverty. For those who consume it, sugar exacerbates health challenges such as diabetes and obesity, and existing substitutes are expensive, bad-tasting, unhealthy in other ways—or all three.
The Solution
Xilinat patented a biotechnological fermentation process to transform agricultural waste into xylitol, a natural, low-calorie sugar substitute. It looks and tastes like sugar, while protecting teeth against cavities—making it an ideal product for consumers with sugar-related health issues, such as diabetes or obesity.
Though xylitol production has historically involved an expensive series of chemical reactions, Xilinat’s approach is far cheaper. Because its production uses waste that would otherwise accumulate or be incinerated, Xilinat’s xylitol is also a sustainable and completely natural product. Additionally, buying agricultural waste from impoverished Mexican farmers enhances their local economies and reduces carbon-heavy incineration practices.
Market Opportunity
By 2022, the global sugar market is expected to reach $100 billion, the global high-intensity sweeteners market is expected to reach $2.95 billion, and the xylitol market is expected to reach $1 billion. Xylitol offers a healthier alternative to sugar, and with an equal sweetness level, it is a better-tasting alternative to chemical sweeteners, which can be 300 times as sweet as sugar. With economies of scale and value from its health benefits, Xilinat is positioned to capture a significant share of the global sugar market.
Partnership Goals
Xilinat currently seeks:
Resources to scale its operations and facilities;
Advice on how to improve and refine its technological processes;
Partnerships with major xylitol users; and
Branding and marketing expertise to sell products to larger companies.
Organization Highlights
Some of Xilinat’s notable achievements include:
Selection for and participation in the entrepreneurial networks MIT Innovators under 35, MassChallenge, Green Momentum, Inc MTY, and the Chivas Venture; and
Tecnológico de Monterrey, a top private university in Mexico for R&D and scale-up support; and
Three companies in the food industry, which use xylitol as an ingredient in their new formulations.
What is the name of your organization?
Xilinat
What is the name of your solution?
Creative Food Labs (dba Xilinat)
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Using biotechnology to transform agricultural wastes into healthy products.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Mexico City
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Mexico
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-Profit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Sugar is a problem for all people involved. Those who farm it are unfairly paid and, in Mexico, often live in extreme poverty. For those who consume it, sugar exacerbates health challenges such as diabetes and obesity, and existing substitutes are expensive, bad-tasting, unhealthy in other ways or all three.
What is your solution?
Xilinat patented a biotechnological fermentation process to transform agricultural waste into xylitol, a natural, low-calorie sugar substitute. It looks and tastes like sugar, while protecting teeth against cavities, making it an ideal product for consumers with sugar-related health issues, such as diabetes or obesity. Though xylitol production has historically involved an expensive series of chemical reactions, Xilinat's approach is far cheaper. Because its production uses waste that would otherwise accumulate or be incinerated, Xilinat's xylitol is also a sustainable and completely natural product. Additionally, buying agricultural waste from impoverished Mexican farmers enhances their local economies and reduces carbon-heavy incineration practices.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
1)People living with or at risk of diabetes and obesity. Every 5 seconds someone dies from diabetes, and 1 in 11 people are affected by obesity. We provide xylitol, a sugar alternative that tastes identical to sugar but causes no glucose or insulin spikes and protects dental health. This allows people to enjoy sweetness without compromising their health.
2) Health-conscious consumers and families seeking accessible, great-tasting alternatives to sugar, without sacrificing functionality in cooking and baking
2)Farmers and the food industry. We upcycle agricultural waste through fermentation into high-value ingredients, reducing waste and CO₂ emissions while creating new revenue streams
Stats
For every ton of xylitol produced, Xilinat recycles seven tons of agricultural waste and avoids generating six tons of CO2.
