PureCircle, a leading producer of stevia ingredients for the global food and beverage industry, has completed a $42 million expansion of its stevia plant in Malaysia with a ceremony attended by the Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

PureCircle said it’s committed to making stevia a mainstream ingredient. This major expansion of facilities will enable the company to double its production capacity and focus on even more efficient extraction and processing from sustainably grown stevia leaf and purification for its next generation of pioneering stevia ingredients. 

Innovations that have been incorporated into the new facilities include a dedicated line, specifically designed for PureCircle’s Zeta Family ingredients—these are comprised of the most sugar-like steviol glycosides, such as Reb M and Reb D, and allow for deep calorie reductions by food and beverage companies.

This investment will ensure that PureCircle remains at the forefront of innovation to deliver best tasting products, at a scale that fits with the needs of global brands, as well as benefiting farmers and their communities. The fully automated expansion in Enstek, Malaysia, will bring the employment of the full facility to almost 600 people. 

Commenting on this milestone, PureCircle’s Group CEO Magomet Malsagov, said, “PureCircle is committed to a substantial ongoing investment program to ensure that our customers—global food and beverages brands—have year-round access to the highest quality stevia leaf extract that is consistent, sustainably grown and made from the best tasting stevia plant varieties. The expansion of our extraction and processing operations will benefit not only our customers but also our employees, the farmers and communities we work with, and our end consumers around the world.”