Inulin (derived from chicory root) is a prebiotic dietary fiber that is added worldwide to foods such as candy, cookies, dairy (alternatives), ready-to-eat meals, as well as baby food and medical nutrition. Inulin is also referred to as the “jack of all trades” due to its numerous health benefits. However, it has one drawback – inulin is not stable in acidic food products, making it unsuitable for certain applications. Sensus, a global supplier of inulin and part of Royal Cosun, is searching for a promising solution to overcome this hurdle. In this challenge, we are looking for an acid-resistant variant of inulin or an alternative fiber with similar properties that can withstand acidic environments. In other words, can we find the “jack of all trades with an extra skill”?
Are you an innovator in food technology or biochemistry? Your breakthrough could be the solution to create healthier, fiber-rich products in categories that are currently out of reach! Collaborating with us provides access to expertise, resources, markets and funding to elevate your idea to the next level.
The challenge
Inulin is a prebiotic dietary fiber that Sensus produces on a large scale using chicory root (Cichorium intybus). The unique characteristic of inulin is that it is a carbohydrate that bypasses digestion, arriving in the large intestine intact. There, it is fully broken down by gut bacteria, which produce substances that contribute to our overall health.
The benefits of inulin are significant:
- Healthier alternative: using inulin (partially) in place of sugar or fat creates healthier, lower-calorie products
- Pleasant texture and mild sweetness: inulin gives products a creamy mouthfeel and a subtle sweetness without the artificial aftertaste of many other substitutes
- Potentially satiating: fibers can help create a feeling of fullness, which is beneficial for weight management and contributes to better blood glucose regulation
- Prebiotic effect: beneficial gut bacteria feed on inulin, allowing them to thrive and improve gut health
- Improved mineral absorption: inulin may improve the absorption of minerals like calcium, which benefits bone health
Sensus’ products like Frutafit® (inulin in powder form) and Frutalose® (oligofructose in powder and syrup form) are used worldwide in various food products, including ice cream, dairy and alternatives, confectionery, ready meals, savory soups and sauces, infant nutrition, and medical nutrition.
However, a drawback of inulin is that it is not stable in acidic environments. In products with a low pH (like soft drinks, fruit juices, acidic dairy products, or dressings), inulin breaks down, losing both its functional properties and health benefits. This limits its applicability, particularly in popular products where prebiotic fibers would be valuable additions.
What are we looking for?
We’re seeking one of the following solutions:
An alternative fiber or prebiotic ingredient that:
- Has similar prebiotic properties to inulin
- Is resistant to acidic environments
- Has a neutral taste
- Is suitable for food applications
- Is naturally sourced
- And ideally also has a slightly sweet taste and/or is water-soluble.
- A modification of inulin that makes it resistant to acidic environments (pH < 4.5), while retaining its prebiotic properties and other functional benefits.
- A protection method or technology that shields existing inulin (Frutafit® or Frutalose®) from degradation in acidic environments without negatively affecting its taste, texture, or health benefits.
What are we not looking for?
Commercially available alternatives or offers to use AI to search for such fibers.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for innovators (from researchers to startups and multinationals) with concrete and substantiated ideas and solutions that can help us with this challenge. For example:
- An innovator or researcher with valuable ideas or knowledge that can contribute to solving our challenge.
- An innovator, research group, startup, or scale-up that is already a step ahead, possibly having developed something, and looking to further test and refine it. A party seeking the right partner with the right knowledge, (testing) facilities, financial resources (and more).
- Startups, scale-ups, or multinationals with an (almost) applicable end product looking for partners with scaling capabilities and/or market access.
- ... and anything in between.
We would love to connect with you if you think we can take a step closer to the solution together!
What do we offer?
A win-win! What that entails depends on the maturity of your idea/solution and your ambitions to bring an applicable solution to the market.
Some possible collaboration forms:
- A licensing agreement where you transfer your idea or knowledge.
- A partnership to jointly further develop an idea/solution, utilizing our knowledge, facilities, and network.
- A strategic partnership or investment to scale your solution and/or access the market. Through our venture network, including Icos Capital and StartLife Wageningen, we can explore growth opportunities to conquer the market together.
Want to know more about collaborating with Cosun? Read more
How does it work?
- Phase 1: Introduction & NDA (Q4 2025)
- Sign up for an (online) introduction meeting
- Sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
- An (online) meeting with Sensus where we will share more about Sensus (and Cosun), the possibilities, and our intentions. You share your ideas/solutions and intentions for collaboration.
- Phase 2: Collaboration agreement (Q1/Q2 2026)
- If both parties see potential in the collaboration, follow-up meetings will occur to reach a partnership form and agreement.
- Phase 3: Start collaboration (from mid-2026)
- Our goal is to initiate collaborations with one or more innovators, researchers, startups, or multinationals to work on scalable and applicable end products.
Timeline
- Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 12:00 CET: challenge launch
- Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 17:00 CET: deadline for introduction meeting registration
- Q4 2025: Introduction and NDA
- Q1/2 2026: Collaboration agreement
- Mid-2026: Start collaboration
About us
Sensus, part of Royal Cosun, specializes in natural food ingredients such as inulin and oligofructose from chicory roots. Our products improve gut health, increase fiber content, and support sugar and fat reduction. We are committed to innovation and sustainable solutions for a healthier world.