PureCircle Complete Deal with Chinese Agribusiness to Produce Stevia Plant Extract

05/11/07 International food ingredients-maker PureCircle - producers of naturally extracted food ingredients - announced a landmark joint venture deal with Ghanzou Julong High Tech Food Industries (GJ), a Chinese agribusiness to produce raw stevia plants.

Under the terms of the multi-million dollar deal, PureCircle will gain exclusive access to plantations and extraction facilities to guarantee cultivation of at least 5000 metric tonnes of high purity Stevia plants which will meet the growing demand for Stevia extract from food and beverage manufacturers world-wide. PureCircle is also exploring other opportunities on a global scale to supplement the production of Stevia and guarantee projected future supply.

Commenting on the deal Peter Milsted, Commercial Director for PureCircle said:

"This deal with our Chinese partners GJ puts PureCircle in pole position to be able to provide the raw stevia required by major food and beverage corporations. High-quality stevia plants and seedlings will increasingly be needed to meet the demand for natural high-intensity sweeteners, which we hope will become the world's leading natural alternative to sugar in food and beverages. We are continuing to investigate opportunities in other areas of China and in other parts of the world."

PureCircle have also identified a host of co-products also derived from the Stevia plant which have differing uses as food supplements and additives, as well as a next generation of food ingredients based on natural extraction methods from plants and herbs.

The company is planning to expand its cultivation operations via new plantations in Asia, Africa and elsewhere within the next 12 months.