OAK BROOK, ILL. — PureCircle, Inc. will build a new processing plant in Malaysia that should double the company’s capacity to produce its proprietary stevia leaf extract, a zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetener. The plant is expected to cost $42 million and should come on-line in early 2017.
The facility will feature a production line specifically designed and built for the Zeta ingredients. These sweeteners are made from the steviol glycosides, including Reb M, inside the stevia leaf that have the most sugar-like taste profile.
“We are extremely excited about bringing this new plant on-line because the demand for stevia has increased dramatically over the last six years,” said Jason Hecker, chief commercial officer for PureCircle, which has offices around the world, including Oak Brook and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “More specifically, the demand for PureCircle’s Zeta ingredients has grown exponentially. This plant will allow us to support the stevia industry in a way that is unmatched by other suppliers. The output ensures that our customers will have a steady supply of sustainable stevia and will be able to formulate their products with the best tasting stevia in the marketplace.”
PureCircle in July announced plans to invest $100 million in its agronomy program.
