PureCircle Announces Partnership with Cerilliant

In March 2009, PureCircle entered into an agreement with Cerilliant Corporation (Round Rock, Texas) for the global supply of Certified Reference Materials and validated analytical methods for stevia-based sweeteners.

The successful introduction of PureVia Reb A natural sweetener by PureCircle, means there is a requirement to ensure the quality of products containing Reb A. PureVia Reb A is a natural product originating from the leaves of the stevia plant. PureCircle and Cerilliant have partnered to create the high-quality reference materials necessary for testing stevia-based products, from raw material to the finished sweetener, PureVia Reb A. Certified reference materials from Cerilliant will provide food and beverage manufacturers assurance that their products meet the highest standards for safety, quality and consistency and are not adulterated.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership,” said Jordi Ferre, General Manager of PureCircle USA. “Innovation activity has been intense following FDA GRAS in December. We are the world’s largest producer of Reb A, and it is important to us that companies using our ingredients use validated analytical methods and high-quality reference materials to determine that Reb A containing products meet requirements for food use. Cerilliant, a well-known provider of high-quality reference materials, can provide this independent expertise, as well as, an extensive range of certified stevia reference.”

Cerilliant CEO, Sherri Pogue, stated, “We are very excited to partner with PureCircle to bring high-quality certified reference materials of Reb A and related compounds to market. PureCircle’s reputation for quality blends well with our philosophy of providing only high-quality products and services. Cerilliant’s triple ISO accreditations and manufacturing to cGMP standards provides assurance that Cerilliant certified reference materials are produced and tested to the highest industry standards. We have been supporting the forensic, clinical and pharmaceutical industries for many years and are pleased to bring our expertise in high-quality reference materials to the food and beverage industry.”

“PureCircle is committed to leadership in the Reb A market,” said Jordi Ferre. “Our advanced quality systems and large-scale manufacture and vertical integration ensure that we can deliver consistent quality while ensuring the highest standards of sustainability that our commercial customers expect of us. These are exciting times for PureVia™ Reb A.”

About PureCircle
PureCircle (LSE:PURE) is a leading producer of high-purity Rebaudioside A (Reb A), with a vertically integrated supply chain operating in three continents. PureCircle markets a range of natural sweeteners internationally. Activities range from the sourcing of dry stevia leaves and extraction, refining of Reb A into sweeteners and marketing of these sweeteners to food and beverage manufacturers worldwide.

PureCircle’s extraction plant can produce 1,000 MT of stevia extract annually, which is currently the world’s largest extraction facility. This is set to increase to 4,000 MT in March 2009. The Company has built the world’s largest state-of-the-art refining plant in Malaysia. This currently produces 1,000 MT of high-purity Reb A and work has started to double this capacity to 2,000 MT. The Company’s production facilities operate in compliance with cGMP, HACCP and ISO standards.

PureCircle’s investment in research and development has given it a leadership position in the manufacture of high-purity Reb A, and their scientists are globally recognized experts in their field.

The Company works with independent farmers in Thailand, China, Paraguay, Laos and Kenya to grow the best quality stevia leaf. PureCircle works closely with communities in each of these countries and endeavors to maximize the social, economic and environmental benefits of its operations.

PureCircle’s corporate offices are located in New Jersey USA; Asuncion, Paraguay; Geneva, Switzerland; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Ganzhou, China and Kericho, Kenya.

PureCircle is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market under the ticker symbol: PURE

About Cerilliant
Cerilliant Corporation, located in Round Rock, Texas, is a global leader in providing analytical reference standards to the analytical testing community. The company has been providing certified reference materials almost 30 years. Cerilliant offers more than 3,400 catalog products and a full range of custom products and services that address the stringent and complex requirements of the forensic/toxicology, diagnostic/clinical, environmental, natural products, and pharmaceutical industries. Cerilliant sustains a modern, robust quality system, which incorporates cGMP, GLP and ISO requirements.

About PureVia Reb A
High-purity Reb A is the world’s first all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant.