Ingredients solutions company Ingredion is to acquire a controlling 75 % stake in PureCircle, a US-based manufacturer of “next-generation” stevia leaf ingredients. Sugar reduction is part of Ingredion’s growth strategy, with the ingredients supplier pegging stevia as a core product.

PureCircle has a proven track record for producing plant-based stevia, while this is Ingredion’s second significant announcement this week, closely following its plans to build an integrated modified starch facility in China designed to more than double its current capacity. The deal is expected to close during the second half of 2020.

All of PureCircle’s ingredients begin with the stevia plant, which the company highlights as distinguishing its offerings from “stevia-like” synthetic sweeteners. The company works with farmers in Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America to grow and source its proprietary stevia plants. Last August, the company launched its own branded ice cream made with the natural sweetener, which it highlights as working well in dessert applications such as ice cream, as well as in a wide range of food products.