Selected
Circular Economy

Creative Food Labs (dba Xilinat)

Using biotechnology to transform agricultural wastes into healthy products.

Team Leader
Javier Larragoiti
Using biotechnology to transform agricultural wastes into healthy products.

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.

Stats

Xilinat has reached 10,000 direct customers through its website and marketplaces with a healthier, low-glycemic sugar alternative.

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?
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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

Organization Type:
For-Profit

Headquarters:
Mexico City, Mexico

Stage:
Prototype

Working In:
Mexico

Solution Website:
www.creativefoodlabs.com.mx

Solution Team:
Javier Larragoiti
Javier Larragoiti
Co-Founder & CEO