High-purity stevia ingredients producer PureCircle has completed the $42m expansion of its stevia plant in Enstek, Malaysia.

The plant expansion will enable the company to double its production capacity, as well as focus on extraction and processing of stevia leaf and purification for its next-generation of stevia ingredients.

The newly expanded facility would feature a dedicated line, specifically designed for PureCircles Zeta Family ingredients, including steviol glycosides, such as Reb M and Reb D, and allow for the deepest calorie reductions by food and beverage companies.

The facility expansion is expected to provide employment for almost 600 people.

"The expansion of our extraction and processing operations will benefit not only of our customers but also our employees, the farmers and communities we work with, and our end-consumers."

PureCircles Group CEO Magomet Malsagov said: "PureCircle is committed to a substantial ongoing investment programme to ensure that our customers, global food and beverages brands, have year-round access to the highest quality stevia leaf extract that is consistent, sustainably grown and made from the best tasting stevia plant varieties.

“The expansion of our extraction and processing operations will benefit not only of our customers but also our employees, the farmers and communities we work with, and our end-consumers around the world."

The company claims that it has been in the forefront of innovation to deliver the tasting products, at a scale that fits with the needs of global brands, as well as benefiting farmers and their communities.