WESTCHESTER, ILL. — Ingredion is extending its distribution of SweeGen’s stevia-based sweeteners on a non-exclusive basis for an additional three years.

Ingredion has been the exclusive global distributor of SweeGen sweeteners in all markets except China since 2017, when the companies became the first suppliers to commercialize Reb M by bioconversion. The production process uses SweeGen’s patented fermentation process to achieve high purity, clean-tasting Reb M and Reb D from the stevia leaf. The result is a non-caloric sweetener that provides a sugar-like taste.

The updated agreement enables both companies to offer next-generation stevia sweeteners to all customers globally.

“We are pleased to extend this partnership to continue to leverage each partner’s strengths, while eliminating unnecessary exclusivity barriers to execution,” said Katharina Pueller, director of SweeGen’s natural sweetener business.