PureCircle to boost stevia leaf production

PureCircle aims to grow 16,000 tonnes of its  StarLeaf™ stevia this year, subject to weather conditions.

StarLeaf™ is a proprietary non-GMO stevia plant that yields roughly 20 times more of the newest and best-tasting stevia leaf sweeteners than conventional stevia varieties, the company said. The leaf will account for about 80% of the company’s stevia utilisation.

Expanding the planting 200% (compared to the previous year), and use of its proprietary StarLeaf™ stevia leaf will enable the company to meet the increasing demand from the food and beverage industry. Product launches featuring stevia as an ingredient grew 10% in 2017 as compared to 2016 according to Mintel. Since 2008, it has been utilised in more than 16,000 products globally.

PureCircle has a growing agricultural network for its stevia supply worldwide, but the expansion of StarLeaf™ planting this year will come from partnerships with North Carolina farmers who used to grow tobacco. Its R&D and innovation has given rise to a portfolio of stevia-based sweetener ingredients that are used in combination with each other to yield the desired sweetness.

StarLeaf™ stevia