SweeGen invests $100m in new European manufacturing facility

US-based SweeGen has expanded its manufacturing footprint in Europe for its non-GMO Bestevia stevia sweeteners with the opening of a $100m facility.

The manufacturing facility will enable the company to produce nearly 3,000mt of next-generation stevia sweeteners on an annual basis.

SweeGen sales and marketing vice-president Luca Giannone said: “European food and beverage companies are already working on reformulating their products to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners.

“Their commitment to providing healthier, naturally sweetened products to their customers is generating an enormous need for our plant-based non-GMO stevia sweeteners.”

The company claims that its non-GMO next-generation sweeteners offer a clean sugar-like taste and will allow product developers to replace a maximum amount of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Additionally, the company is planning to obtain approval for its stevia sweeteners from the European regulatory agency EFSA in the coming months.

With its latest investment in Europe, the company aims to ensure reliable and quick satisfaction of its customers’ stevia-based sweetener demand.

In 2016 and 2017, SweeGen commercialised its non-GMO Reb M and Reb D.

The company also obtained approval for its newly developed steviol glycoside, Reb E, a major component in the company’s Bestevia e+ product.

Last February, SweeGen announced that it is set to introduce its Bestevia stevia sweeteners in Asia.

An undisclosed food company from Asia tested and selected SweeGen’s stevia sweeteners in its products.

As part of the deal, SweeGen agreed to initially supply 20mt of Bestevia to the Asian food company.