Danisco Creates Sustainable Xylitol Product

Danisco Wood Based integrated concept (DWB) produces as little as 1% to 16% of the environmental impact associated with the competitive biomass hydrolysis process based production method using corn cobs as raw material (BHP).

Oct 4 2010 --- Danisco has announced the launch of XIVIA – its new brand name for sustainable xylitol, based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results of its unique wood based integration concept.

Danisco Wood Based integrated concept (DWB) produces as little as 1% to 16% of the environmental impact associated with the competitive biomass hydrolysis process based production method using corn cobs as raw material (BHP).

Danisco also announced the results of a xylitol LCA – an independent study into the environmental impact delivered from 1000 kg of crystalline xylitol manufactured using the Danisco Wood Based Concept (DWB) and the equivalent using the biomass hydrolysis concept (BHP) and corn cob as the raw material.

In conjunction with the release of the LCA findings, Danisco also announced that xylitol manufactured by the company through the wood based integrated concept is now branded XIVIA.

XIVIA stands as a symbol of two of Danisco’s greatest strengths in the area of xylitol manufacturing: Science and Nature.

“The LCA results clearly indicate that XIVIA is a far more sustainable sugar substitute than xylitol produced using corn cobs. Environmental impacts associated with xylitol production using corn cob and the biomass concept are significantly worse for all of the 15 environmental impact categories analysed in the study,” says James Dedman, Business Director, Polyols at Danisco.

“Interestingly, the study also concludes that the superior environmental performance of the DWB concept cannot simply be attributed to the use of the wood pulp side stream as raw material. Additionally, the DWB process on the whole is much more efficient, with a considerably lower use of chemicals, raw materials and energy, and a reduced waste burden for the environment,” Dedman explains.

“The significantly better environmental performance is interesting from a business standpoint especially for companies looking for a stronger contribution to sustainability from the sugar substitutes that they use in creating healthier, more nutritious products. The integrated manufacturing process of XIVIA is a key differentiator and a potential competitive advantage provider,” comments Stéphane Constant, Executive Vice President, Sweeteners Division. “This could be particularly meaningful for consumer products with a high dosage of xylitol such as sugar-free gum chewing gum and confectionery,” adds Constant.

“At Danisco, sustainability is at the heart of our value proposition. This includes providing innovative bio-based ingredient solutions to help our customers market products that provide lasting benefits to the society we live in, today and tomorrow,” highlights Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, President BioActives. “XIVIA definitely fits in the Group’s sustainable offering,” concludes Saadane-Oaks.