UK-based food and beverage ingredients supplier Tate & Lyle has partnered with Manus, a bio-alternatives scale-up platform, to expand access to natural sugar reduction solutions.
The partnership, known as The Natural Sweetener Alliance, will introduce stevia Reb M, a locally sourced, manufactured, and bioconverted stevia ingredient in the US.
Stevia Reb M is researched, developed, and scaled by Manus, and is manufactured at Manus’ large-scale BioFacility in Augusta, Georgia.
It will leverage Manus’ supply chain, covering stevia leaf sourcing, extraction, bioconversion, and final ingredient production.
The approach provides complete control and traceability, enhancing supply chain security and reliability for customers while paving the way for other innovative stevia ingredient solutions.
Manus founder and CEO Ajikumar Parayil said: “Enabled by Manus’ advanced bioalternatives scale-up platform and powered by Tate & Lyle’s global reach, I am thrilled to see two market leaders join forces to form The Natural Sweetener Alliance.
“Together, we will accelerate innovation, secure supply, and grow the global natural sweeteners market, driving down sugar consumption and making healthier, high-quality options accessible worldwide.”
Manus’ chief technology officer Christine Santos said: “With The Natural Sweetener Alliance, we look forward to further expanding our ingredient portfolio to meet customer and consumer needs globally for natural sugar reduction solutions.”
Under the partnership, Tate & Lyle will leverage its experience in stevia research and development, deep sensory, applications, nutrition, and regulatory activities.
The Alliance will enable further development of ingredients and solutions to address the customers’ sweetening needs, along with access to global customers.
Tate & Lyle CEO Nick Hampton said: “We are delighted to partner with Manus and to combine our extensive capabilities and expertise to provide customers with access to high-quality bioconverted stevia Reb, sourced and manufactured in the Americas.
“This partnership, which represents a further strengthening of our sugar reduction offering, will enable us to create new and innovative solutions for customers and help them meet growing consumer demand for healthier and tastier food and drink.”
Tate & Lyle’s fibre and sweetener platform SVP Abigail Storms said: “This Reb M is the result of stevia leaf grown extracted and bioconverted within the Americas, optimising the end-to-end supply chain and thereby supporting local economies and communities.”
