Nufiba: Conversion of agri-biomass to prebiotic food and nutraceutical ingredients
Opportunity for
- Investors and commercial partners to support the development of a pilot plant in Australia and subsequent scaling into global markets.
- Food manufacturers and industry collaborators interested in incorporating our fibre technology into staple products
^This opportunity is only for professional and sophisticated investors.
Opportunity description
Industry challenge
Globally, over 580 million tonnes of sugarcane waste is generated annually, alongside significant volumes of other agri-biomass like banana, coconut, and palm husks. These by-products are typically discarded through burning or landfill, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
At the same time, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to improve global health outcomes. Chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel conditions are on the rise, with links to poor gut health. By repurposing agri-waste into prebiotic dietary fibres, NuFiba addresses two pressing challenges: reducing agricultural waste and improving global gut health in humans and animals.
Current opportunity
Nufiba is currently raising US$7.5 million in first-stage funding to establish a commercial pilot plant in Australia. Nufiba is in current discussion with 2 global sugar producers to co-fund commercial operations, one of which we have developed a fibre and enzyme extraction facility for in the Philippines which has been commercialised by DOLE.
Nufiba are seeking investors and collaborators to expedite development of pilot studies and expand the introduction of pilot samples to customers in APAC. With collaboration from QUT and UQ. This scalable technology has a projected ROI of 15 months, supported by letters of intent and Off Take Agreements from APAC-based food companies totalling $7 million in initial orders. A detailed data room and pitch deck is available for review of business, marketing, sales, and operational finance models.
Opportunity background
The foundations of NuFiba’s innovative fibre technology stem from two decades of research and commercial development, initially driven by a government-supported collaboration between Australian and Japanese scientists. This partnership aimed to repurpose sugarcane waste into functional food ingredients. The original first stage technology was assigned to a corporation and is in continuing operations, with the core technology further refined and owned by NuFiba’s founder, who collaborated with leading gastroenterologists and researchers to explore its potential for gut health.
Over the years, NuFiba’s technology has undergone rigorous validation through preclinical and clinical studies conducted with renowned institutions such as Singapore National University Hospital and Nanyang Technological University. These studies demonstrated the fibres’ ability to reduce circulating blood glucose levels, promote weight loss, and support gut microbiota balance.
- To find out more about this opportunity or to connect to the team go to "Enquire now".*
Potential other applications
- Caloric reduction in sugar: Fibre co-crystallised with white sugar can lower calorie content by 20-30% without compromising flavour.
- Functional fillers and hydrocolloids: Enhancing texture, shelf life, and nutritional profiles in diverse food applications, from sauces to processed meats.
^Professional and sophisticated investors as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The content of this opportunity is intended for use by persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments and must not be acted or relied upon by any other person including, without limitation, retail clients.