US-based stevia extracts producer Sweet Green Fields announced that it has achieved a patent in Japan for the high purity extraction process, the Fast Precipitation Process (FPP).
The company noted that its extraction process draws Rebaudioside-A (RA) out of mid-grade stevia extract and turns it into a purified powder equating to a purity grade of 95% or higher. It is 33 to 50% faster than the current conventional methods, resulting in a much more efficient and cost effective process.
The process enables the company to make use of the technology for its single glycoside products such as Sweetesse Stevia 97, Optesse HPX and Optesse HPS, designed for taste and cost benefit in natural sugar and fructose blended products.
Sweet Green Fields chief executive officer Dean Francis said the latest patent in Japan is another major step in securing global patents for the company's proprietary process to offer the cost effective product to its partners worldwide.
The Japanese patent is the most recent in the company's extensive patent portfolio, including patents covering FPP in the U.S., Mexico, China, Australia and New Zealand. The company plans to work with its partners in Japan to explore opportunities to leverage the more cost effective process.
Sweet Green Fields is a producer of sweeteners derived from stevia, including high-purity stevia extracts and Rebaudioside-A. It markets natural sweeteners globally to food and beverage companies.