Zero-calorie sweetener: Amyris inks major supply deal with ASR

04 Oct 2018 --- Just a few weeks after Amyris was given GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status on its sugarcane-derived zero-calorie ingredient, the company has revealed that it is joining forces with the ASR Group in a major supply and distribution deal. The move comes at a time when consumers are looking for high-quality calorie reduction that tastes as good as sugar.

The GRAS green light allows Amyris to begin commercially selling its new, natural, zero-calorie sweetener and the company has wasted no time in getting the deal with the world’s largest sugar cane refiner, which owns and operates six sugar refineries across the US, Canada, and Mexico, as well as specialty sweetener production facilities, off the ground. One major ingredient player that could benefit from this innovation is DSM. DSM shareholding in Amyris is just under 20 percent. 

Beth Bannerman, SVP, Corporate Communications & Engagement for the company, revealed to FoodIngredientsFirst that Amyris is partnering with a world leader in sugarcane in an interview published last month.

 “We are the sole owner of the ingredient. We are making it available through several of the leading sweetener solution companies in the world. We’re planning on disclosing between now and December,” notes Bannerman. She confirmed that the new non-GMO, natural ingredient will be suitable for tabletop sweeteners, most beverages and many other applications. The first commercial applications are already being targeted for the fourth quarter of this year.

ASR – Largest sugarcane player in the world
American Sugar Refining, Inc. acquired Domino Sugar in 2001, the California and Hawaiian Sugar Company (C&H Sugar) in 2005, Redpath Sugar in 2007, and Tate & Lyle's European sugar operations in 2010. Its portfolio also includes Sidul in Portugal. 

Amyris applies its innovative bioscience solutions to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules and produce specialty ingredients and consumer products. This latest deal is expected to accelerate growth opportunities for Amyris and the owner of Domino and C&H sugar brands.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Amyris to deliver a great-tasting, zero calorie sweetener made from cane sugar to the marketplace. This product is among the highest in purity and best in flavor profile that we have seen,” says Richard Dyer, Chief Science and Innovation Officer for ASR Group. 

“We’re looking forward to growing our business by introducing this new product into our portfolio at a time when our customers and consumers are looking for calorie reduction without sacrificing their love for the taste of sugar.”

The long-term agreement for a significant volume of Amyris’s ingredient guarantees ASR Group a supply of the sugarcane-derived sweetener which is key to the company’s future plans to expand its product offering with a new sweetener brand to be marketed and distributed globally, via business to business and direct to consumer. 

The agreement also fits well with Amyris’s strategy to create value for market leaders in long-term partnerships.

“We’re delighted that ASR Group, a long-time leader worldwide in the sugar and sweetener markets, has become the first commercial customer and long-term partner for our sweetener,” adds John Melo, Amyris President & CEO. 

“Amyris’s growth strategy depends on our ability to reach consumers. The more successful we are with consumers, the faster we will grow. The announcement demonstrates significant strategic progress in becoming the leader in delivering caloric reduction to consumers.”

“We are continuing our commitment to help our customers achieve their health goals. We did it first with Biossance, our clean beauty skincare and now with the first major sale of our zero calorie sweetener, which provides consumers with the sweetness they love with zero calories.”

Amyris will manufacture its sweetener in Brazil, where it currently produces its other specialty ingredients. By making plant-based products using safe and sustainable ingredients, Amyris is continuing to disrupt markets. 

The company operates what it calls a “No Compromise” approach that guarantees everything Amyris makes is sustainable with high levels of purity, is lower in cost and performs better generally, compared to ingredients made from non-sustainable sources. 

FoodIngredientsFirst has reached out to the ASR Group for more information on the supply collaboration. 

Amyris positions itself as “an integrated renewable products company that is enabling the world’s leading brands to achieve sustainable growth.” Amyris applies its innovative bioscience solutions to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules and produce specialty ingredients and consumer products.

The company claims to be delivering on its “No Compromise” products and services across a number of markets, including specialty and performance chemicals, flavors and fragrances, cosmetics ingredients, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Within the ingredients space, the company is a leading supplier to major flavor houses Givaudan and Firmenich, but it does not disclose the specific ingredients being used.

By Gaynor Selby