ClonBio Foods has unveiled its intention to establish a large-scale production facility for its innovative prebiotic dietary fibre, FibAX, representing a significant achievement after eight years of research and development.
This new facility is set to be situated within the company’s ingredient production campus in Dunaföldvár, Hungary, where the existing PurusPro barley protein operation is already in place. The dedicated site will focus solely on extracting fibres from grains.
Scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027, this facility will transition FibAX from a pilot stage to full-scale production, ensuring that food and beverage manufacturers have consistent access to this unique ingredient that promotes gut health.
### Offering Formulators Versatility and Efficacy
FibAX is extracted intact from the cell walls of upcycled corn bran and boasts a high-molecular-weight native corn arabinoxylan. By isolating the fibre while preserving its natural length and branched structure, ClonBio Foods enables it to ferment in a slow and predictable manner within the digestive system.
This structure addresses numerous formulation challenges commonly faced by food and beverage creators.
“Years of research has affirmed the benefits of arabinoxylan fibres, yet no one has succeeded in producing them commercially in their native form,” stated Enda Ryan, the CEO of ClonBio Foods. “Scaling up our production allows us to meet the demand from both premium brands and diverse products.”
Ryan emphasized that premium brands focused on gut health can benefit significantly from FibAX, noting, “One of the key advantages is that it provides meaningful metabolic activity at lower doses. This offers formulators greater flexibility while still ensuring gut health outcomes aligned with consumer expectations.”
Studies show that FibAX generates approximately three times the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) compared to inulin over a 24-hour period, maintaining this metabolic activity further along the colon to support gut integrity and overall metabolic well-being.
### Enhanced Tolerance and Sugar Reduction
A major obstacle for producers utilizing conventional prebiotic fibres, like inulin or resistant maltodextrin, is the discomfort reported by consumers. Many of these options can induce bloating and gas at effective serving sizes, limiting the amounts that brands can incorporate.
FibAX effectively alleviates this concern due to its slow fermentation characteristics. Clinical trials conducted at the Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre in Ireland demonstrated that the fibre produced up to seven times less gas at standard daily doses (three to six grams) when compared to alternative fibres.
In addition to gut health benefits, this ingredient serves as a valuable tool for sugar reduction. A controlled study involving 53 participants revealed that a cake reengineered with just 1.5% FibAX attained a 30% reduction in sugar, resulting in a lower post-meal glucose response than cakes made with traditional and resistant maltodextrins.
### Focusing on Premium Global Applications
With rising demand across markets in Europe, North America, and Asia, particularly South Korea, ClonBio Foods is preparing to position FibAX for functional, clean-label, and sustainable uses. The fact that it is derived from a co-product of grain processing enables brands to enhance their sustainability and circular economy initiatives.
The company anticipates swift adoption of this ingredient in four core sectors: dietary supplements and functional powders, prebiotic and probiotic blends, functional beverages, and functional dairy products.
By merging low-dose efficacy with outstanding digestive tolerance, this upcoming facility will provide a solid foundation for brands aiming to establish premium health claims in highly competitive categories.