Sweetener group PureCircle has completed a $42 million expansion of its stevia facility in Malaysia, doubling its production of stevia leaf extract.
The new facilities include a dedicated line, specifically designed for PureCircle’s Zeta family of ingredients, which are comprised of the brand’s most sugar-like steviol glycosides such as Reb M and Reb D. The investment will allow PureCircle to focus on ‘more efficient extraction and processing’ from sustainably grown stevia leaf and purification for its next generation of ingredients.
The expansion to the fully automated plant in Enstek – south of the capital, Kuala Lumpur – will allow the group to grow its output at a scale that matches global demand, and brings the size of the workforce of the full facility to nearly 600.
PureCircle CEO Magomet Malsagov said: “PureCircle is committed to a substantial ongoing investment programme 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.”
Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Malaysia’s minister of energy, green technology and water, added: “PureCircle is a significant force for good on the global stage for not only reducing calories but also in the overall fight against obesity.
“The company’s investment in their cutting-edge facilities will also create hundreds of new jobs in Malaysia. It will be a hive of innovation, the product of which will be exported around the world. We are very proud to have PureCircle’s production and R&D facilities in Malaysia. They are a key employer in the region and I commend what they are doing as global leaders in their field.”
FoodBev first reported PureCircle’s plans for an expansion to its Enstek site in September.
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