Work to convert existing Cargill Blair manufacturing facility to produce next-generation stevia sweeteners has commenced, under a partnership between Evolva and Cargill.
Evolva will continue with the option to acquire a 45% stake in the business to commercialize the sweeteners under a joint development agreement reached with Cargill earlier in 2013.
The engineering phase at the plant will see an investment of around $3m.
The ingredients from the facility are expected to be commercially available in 2016.
Cargill Health Ingredients vice president David Henstrom said: "Adding new production capabilities at our Cargill Blair facility fits strategically with our overall growth plan and is an exciting and necessary step as we prepare for the commercialization of a next-generation sweetener.
"This sweetener will offer a new, delicious choice for reduced and zero-calorie food and beverages."
To be produced in a Cargill fermentation system, the next generation stevia sweeteners will allow food and beverage producers to create new classes of lower calorie products.
The stevia-based sweeteners are highly sought-after natural, zero-calorie sweeteners. However, their broader use is currently constrained by taste at high usage levels, which can be bitter or have an after-taste. Such constraints can be removed using fermentation.
